Effects of caffeine gum on same-day and subsequent neuromuscular performance under a standardized resistance-priming condition in male basketball players.

Significant dose × time interactions were observed for all performance outcomes except the Lane Agility Test.

• Fifteen male basketball players completed three randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover conditions: PLA+RP, CAF3+RP, and CAF6+RP.
• Performance tests were conducted at 1 h, 24 h, and 48 h post-resistance priming.
• Outcomes included isometric mid-thigh pull peak force, 200-ms rate of force development, countermovement jump height, 20-m sprint, Y-shaped reactive agility, and Lane Agility Test.
• Data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models adjusted for experimental period and administration sequence.

At 1 hour post-resistance priming, both 3 mg·kg⁻¹ and 6 mg·kg⁻¹ caffeine gum produced superior neuromuscular performance compared with placebo.

• CAF3+RP and CAF6+RP both showed superior performance versus PLA+RP at the 1 h time point.
• Improvements spanned isometric strength, explosive power, sprint, and reactive agility outcomes.
• No significant differences were observed between CAF3 and CAF6, suggesting the lower dose was as effective as the higher dose at this time point.

No significant between-condition performance advantages for either caffeine dose compared with placebo were observed at 24 h or 48 h post-resistance priming.

• At 24 h and 48 h, neither CAF3+RP nor CAF6+RP demonstrated additional performance benefits over PLA+RP.
• This suggests any caffeine-related performance enhancement within the RP context did not persist into the subsequent days.
• The resistance-priming protocol consisted of 3 × 3 back squats at 85% 1RM.

Barbell mean concentric velocity during resistance priming was higher under both caffeine conditions compared with placebo.

• Mean concentric velocity (MV) was recorded during the RP protocol (3 × 3 back squats at 85% 1RM).
• Higher barbell velocity under caffeine conditions indicates greater RP training output when caffeine was administered.
• Participants chewed gum for 15 min before performing a standardized warm-up and the RP protocol.

The study design precluded direct attribution of findings to caffeine alone, resistance priming alone, or their interaction.

• No pre-intervention baseline testing was included.
• No caffeine-only condition (without resistance priming) was included.
• No no-RP control condition was included.
• The authors explicitly state findings 'should be interpreted as caffeine-related differences within an RP context rather than direct evidence of the independent effects of caffeine, RP, or their interaction.'

The resistance-priming protocol used was a standardized 3 × 3 back squat at 85% one-repetition maximum, and caffeine gum was administered at doses of 3 mg·kg⁻¹ and 6 mg·kg⁻¹.

• Gum was chewed for 15 min prior to a standardized warm-up and RP protocol.
• The study used a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design.
• Sample consisted of 15 male basketball players.
• Three conditions were tested: PLA+RP, CAF3+RP, and CAF6+RP.