Study note • PMID 35791877
Repeated low-dose caffeine ingestion during a night of total sleep deprivation improves endurance performance and cognitive function in young recreational runners: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
How to use this page
This note summarizes one study record. Check the participants, methods, results, and limitations before applying it to training.
- • Design signal: randomized trial.
- • Population relevance: mixed/unclear athlete specificity.
- • Consistency: single-study evidence.
- • Practical recommendation depends on tolerance, context, and whether it protects training consistency.
ELI5
In plain language
The present study aimed to assess the effects of repeated administration of low-dose caffeine during a night of total sleep deprivation on physical and cognitive performance. (randomized trial; recreational runners).
Effects on Time-trial performance are mixed or unclear from the abstract alone. Treat this as a signal, not a guarantee; confirm methods and context in the full paper.
Takeaways
What the abstract suggests
- • Study question: The present study aimed to assess the effects of repeated administration of low-dose caffeine during a night of total sleep deprivation on physical and cognitive performance.
- • Effects on Time-trial performance are mixed or unclear from the abstract alone.
- • Population: recreational runners.
- • Protocol cues (title/abstract): 6 mg/kg • 2 mg/kg • 400 m.
Protocol
Protocol (as reported)
- • Intervention/exposure: caffeine (vs placebo).
- • Dose/time/duration cues in abstract/title: 6 mg/kg • 2 mg/kg • 400 m.
- • Outcomes: Time-trial performance, Time to exhaustion.
- • Replication note: abstracts often omit adherence and timing; confirm details before changing training or supplementation.
Fit
Who it may help, and who should be cautious
Who it helps
- • Athletes similar to the study population (recreational runners) working on supplements.
- • Athletes who can measure Time-trial performance, Time to exhaustion with a repeatable workout or time-trial effort.
Who should be cautious
- • If you have symptoms or conditions that make the intervention risky, get professional guidance.
- • If you’re near race day and can’t safely test, defer the experiment.
Methods
What the study actually did
- • Design: randomized trial (double-blind, placebo-controlled).
- • Population: recreational runners.
- • Comparator: placebo.
- • Outcomes measured: Time-trial performance, Time to exhaustion.
- • Protocol cues mentioned: 6 mg/kg • 2 mg/kg • 400 m.
- • Source: PubMed PMID 35791877 (2022) — Chronobiology international.
Results excerpt
What the abstract reports
“On the contrary, caffeine intake improved exhaustive running performance after BN by 5.2% (p < .001) and after TSD by 8.9% (p < .001), increased correct detections after BN (p < .05) and TSD (p < .05), and decreased reaction time after BN…”
Note: excerpts are short; for full context, read the paper.
Limits
Limitations and bias
- • Abstract-only summaries can miss critical details (population, protocol, adherence, and context).
- • Single studies often don’t generalize to your event, history, and training load; treat results as a starting point.
- • If your context differs (elite vs recreational; cycling vs running), adjust expectations and be conservative.
- • This is performance information, not medical advice.
Adaptive AI coach for iPhone
Meet your adaptive AI coach.
Tell your coach what you are training for. It builds the plan, follows the work you complete, and adapts upcoming training when recovery, your schedule, or real life changes.
Keep going
Performance Science Lab
Research summaries for endurance athletes, with study context, practical protocols, and clear limitations.
Supplements performance research
Supplements are optional. Only a few reliably move the needle, and context matters.
Caffeine for endurance performance: a practical protocol
Evidence-informed protocol: Caffeine for endurance performance: a practical protocol. Practical steps, who it helps, and what to watch out for.