Study note • PMID 38474796
Effects of Caffeinated Coffee on Cross-Country Cycling Performance in Recreational Cyclists.
Worth trying if it fits your goal and context.
ELI5
In plain language
The ergogenic effects of acute caffeine intake on endurance cycling performance lasting ~1 h have been well documented in controlled laboratory studies. (randomized trial; recreational 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: The ergogenic effects of acute caffeine intake on endurance cycling performance lasting ~1 h have been well documented in controlled laboratory studies.
- • The abstract doesn’t indicate a clear change in Time-trial performance under the tested conditions.
- • Population: recreational cyclists.
- • Protocol cues (title/abstract): 3.00 mg/kg • 0.04 mg/kg • 3 mg/kg • 1 h • 60 min • 6.18 min.
Protocol
Protocol (as reported)
- • Intervention/exposure: caffeine (vs placebo).
- • Dose/time/duration cues in abstract/title: 3.00 mg/kg • 0.04 mg/kg • 3 mg/kg • 1 h • 60 min • 6.18 min • 90 km.
- • 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 (recreational cyclists) 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: recreational cyclists.
- • Comparator: placebo.
- • Outcomes measured: Time-trial performance, Time to exhaustion.
- • Protocol cues mentioned: 3.00 mg/kg • 0.04 mg/kg • 3 mg/kg • 1 h • 60 min • 6.18 min • 90 km.
- • Source: PubMed PMID 38474796 (2024) — Nutrients.
Results excerpt
What the abstract reports
“162 +/- 13 bpm; p = 0.046; ES = 0.788) but the rating of perceived exertion at the end of the trial was similar with caffeinated coffee than with the placebo (16 +/- 1 vs.”
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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Practical performance outcome used in many studies: closer to racing than lab-only metrics.
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A lab outcome that can still guide training: it often tracks fatigue resistance.