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Study note

Acute caffeine supplementation offsets the impairment in 10-km running performance following one night of partial sleep deprivation: a randomized controlled crossover trial.

PMID 39438312 (2025): caffeine — Time-trial performance, Time to exhaustion (study note for endurance athletes).

Updated Jul 22, 2026

Read the study note

Study note • PMID 39438312

Acute caffeine supplementation offsets the impairment in 10-km running performance following one night of partial sleep deprivation: a randomized controlled crossover trial.

European journal of applied physiology2025 • DOI 10.1007/s00421-024-05638-5

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

INTRODUCTION: Whether acute caffeine supplementation can offset the negative effects of one-night of partial sleep deprivation (PSD) on endurance exercise performance is currently unknown. (randomized trial; recreational runners).

The abstract suggests a positive effect on 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: INTRODUCTION: Whether acute caffeine supplementation can offset the negative effects of one-night of partial sleep deprivation (PSD) on endurance exercise performance is currently unknown.
  • The abstract suggests a positive effect on Time-trial performance under the tested conditions.
  • Population: recreational runners.
  • Protocol cues (title/abstract): 6 mg/kg • 8 h • 45 min • 6.9 min • 7.3 min • 7.7 min.

Protocol

Protocol (as reported)

  • Intervention/exposure: caffeine (vs placebo).
  • Dose/time/duration cues in abstract/title: 6 mg/kg • 8 h • 45 min • 6.9 min • 7.3 min • 7.7 min • 6.4 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 (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 (placebo-controlled).
  • Population: recreational runners.
  • Comparator: placebo.
  • Outcomes measured: Time-trial performance, Time to exhaustion.
  • Protocol cues mentioned: 6 mg/kg • 8 h • 45 min • 6.9 min • 7.3 min • 7.7 min • 6.4 min.
  • Source: PubMed PMID 39438312 (2025) — European journal of applied physiology.

Results excerpt

What the abstract reports

PSD resulted in compromised TT performance compared to NS in the placebo conditions by 5% (51.9 +/- 7.7 vs.

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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