Skip to content

Study note

The Effects of Blackcurrant and Caffeine Combinations on Performance and Physiology During Repeated High-Intensity Cycling.

PMID 35981712 (2022): caffeine — Time-trial performance, Time to exhaustion (study note for endurance athletes).

Updated Jul 22, 2026

Read the study note

Study note • PMID 35981712

The Effects of Blackcurrant and Caffeine Combinations on Performance and Physiology During Repeated High-Intensity Cycling.

International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism2022 • DOI 10.1123/ijsnem.2022-0087

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: athlete/trained context.
  • Consistency: single-study evidence.
  • Practical recommendation depends on tolerance, context, and whether it protects training consistency.

ELI5

In plain language

Blackcurrant juices and extracts containing anthocyanin may provide ergogenic benefits to sports performance. (randomized trial; well-trained cyclists).

The abstract doesn’t indicate a clear change in Time-trial performance under the tested conditions. Treat this as a signal, not a guarantee; confirm methods and context in the full paper.

Takeaways

What the abstract suggests

  • Study question: Blackcurrant juices and extracts containing anthocyanin may provide ergogenic benefits to sports performance.
  • The abstract doesn’t indicate a clear change in Time-trial performance under the tested conditions.
  • Population: well-trained cyclists.
  • Protocol cues (title/abstract): 5 min.

Protocol

Protocol (as reported)

  • Intervention/exposure: caffeine (vs placebo).
  • Dose/time/duration cues in abstract/title: 5 min.
  • 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 (well-trained cyclists) 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: well-trained cyclists.
  • Comparator: placebo.
  • Outcomes measured: Time-trial performance, Time to exhaustion.
  • Protocol cues mentioned: 5 min.
  • Source: PubMed PMID 35981712 (2022) — International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism.

Results excerpt

What the abstract reports

However, power output was lower (p < .05) in blackcurrant + placebo compared with blackcurrant + caffeine.

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

Sources