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Effects of sucrose or caffeine ingestion on running performance and biochemical responses to endurance running.

PMID 3623782 (1987): caffeine — Time-trial performance, Time to exhaustion (study note for endurance athletes).

Last updated/Feb 23, 2026, 10:34 PM

Study note • PMID 3623782

Effects of sucrose or caffeine ingestion on running performance and biochemical responses to endurance running.

International journal of sports medicine1987 • DOI 10.1055/s-2008-1025656
Evidence C66/100
Action 2: Consider

Worth trying if it fits your goal and context.

ELI5

In plain language

To elucidate the effects of sucrose or caffeine ingestion on metabolic responses to prolonged exercise and on performance of a finishing spurt after the prolonged exercise, seven male physical… (randomized trial; participants).

The abstract doesn’t indicate a clear change in Time-trial performance, Time to exhaustion 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: To elucidate the effects of sucrose or caffeine ingestion on metabolic responses to prolonged exercise and on performance of a finishing spurt after the prolonged exercise, seven male physical…
  • The abstract doesn’t indicate a clear change in Time-trial performance, Time to exhaustion under the tested conditions.
  • Population: participants.
  • Protocol cues (title/abstract): 200 mg • 30 min • 2 h.

Protocol

Protocol (as reported)

  • Intervention/exposure: caffeine (vs placebo).
  • Dose/time/duration cues in abstract/title: 200 mg • 30 min • 2 h.
  • 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 helps, and who should skip it

Who it helps

  • Athletes similar to the study population (participants) working on supplements.
  • Athletes who can measure Time-trial performance, Time to exhaustion with a repeatable workout or time-trial effort.

Who should skip

  • 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 (placebo-controlled).
  • Population: participants.
  • Comparator: placebo.
  • Outcomes measured: Time-trial performance, Time to exhaustion.
  • Protocol cues mentioned: 200 mg • 30 min • 2 h.
  • Source: PubMed PMID 3623782 (1987) — International journal of sports medicine.

Results excerpt

What the abstract reports

The latter finding would be caused by lower intensity and a larger amount of ingested caffeine.

Note: excerpts are short; for full context, read the paper.

Limits

Limitations & 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.

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Sources