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Study note

Caffeine, but not paracetamol (acetaminophen), enhances muscular endurance, strength, and power.

PMID 39246027 (2024): caffeine — Time-trial performance, Time to exhaustion (study note for endurance athletes).

Updated Jul 22, 2026

Read the study note

Study note • PMID 39246027

Caffeine, but not paracetamol (acetaminophen), enhances muscular endurance, strength, and power.

Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition2024 • DOI 10.1080/15502783.2024.2400513

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

BACKGROUND: Caffeine is one of the most popular ergogenic aids consumed by athletes. (randomized trial; trained athletes).

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: BACKGROUND: Caffeine is one of the most popular ergogenic aids consumed by athletes.
  • The abstract doesn’t indicate a clear change in Time-trial performance under the tested conditions.
  • Population: trained athletes.
  • Protocol cues (title/abstract): 3 mg/kg • 1500 mg • 45 min.

Protocol

Protocol (as reported)

  • Intervention/exposure: caffeine (vs placebo).
  • Dose/time/duration cues in abstract/title: 3 mg/kg • 1500 mg • 45 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 (trained athletes) 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: trained athletes.
  • Comparator: placebo.
  • Outcomes measured: Time-trial performance, Time to exhaustion.
  • Protocol cues mentioned: 3 mg/kg • 1500 mg • 45 min.
  • Source: PubMed PMID 39246027 (2024) — Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.

Results excerpt

What the abstract reports

Compared to placebo, isolated caffeine ingestion increased the number of repetitions performed in the bench press (p = 0.005; d = 0.42).

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.

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