Effects of Carbohydrate Combined with Caffeine on the Sports Performance of Basketball Players.

CAF and CH + CAF groups significantly outperformed the PLA group in countermovement jump, 20-m sprint, and change-of-direction and acceleration tests.

• 32 collegiate-level basketball players participated in a randomized crossover controlled experimental design.
• Four groups were tested: placebo (PLA), CH (30 g/h glucose solution), CAF (3 mg/kg body mass), and CH + CAF (combined intervention).
• Significant differences were observed in CMJ, 20 m, and CODAT tests for CAF and CH + CAF groups versus PLA (p < .05).
• No significant synergistic effect of combining CH and CAF was observed for these performance measures.

Both CH and CH + CAF groups demonstrated significantly better performance than the PLA group in the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1.

• Yo-Yo test differences were statistically significant at p < .01 for both CH and CH + CAF groups versus PLA.
• The CAF-only group did not show a significant advantage over PLA in the Yo-Yo test.
• This suggests carbohydrate supplementation may play a primary role in improving aerobic endurance performance.

No significant differences were observed among any of the four groups in the free throw or straight-line dribbling speed tests.

• Free throw (FT) test and straight-line dribbling speed (SLDS) test showed no significant group differences (p > .05).
• This indicates that neither CH, CAF, nor their combination had a significant impact on basketball-specific technical skills.
• The authors concluded the combined supplementation 'has no significant impact on professional skills.'

Blood lactic acid levels in the CAF group were significantly higher than in the PLA and CH groups at 1 minute post-exercise, and also significantly higher than in the CH + CAF group.

• At 1-min post-exercise, BLA in CAF group was significantly higher than PLA and CH groups (p < .05).
• At 1-min post-exercise, BLA in CAF group was significantly higher than in the CH + CAF group (p < .01).
• At 3-min post-exercise, BLA levels in both CH + CAF and PLA groups increased significantly (p < .05), with the CH + CAF group showing a greater increase compared with the CH group (p < .01).
• These findings suggest that combined CH + CAF supplementation may moderate the acute lactic acid response compared to CAF alone.

Heart rate during exercise was significantly lower in the CH group and significantly higher in the CAF group compared to the PLA group.

• During exercise, HR in the CH group was significantly lower than in the PLA group (p < .01).
• During exercise, HR in the CAF group was significantly higher than in the PLA group (p < .01).
• HR in the CH group was significantly lower compared with the CAF group during exercise (p < .01).
• HR in the CH + CAF group was significantly higher than in the CAF group during exercise (p < .01).
• After exercise, HR in the CH group remained significantly lower than in the CAF group (p < .01).

The study employed a randomized crossover controlled design with 32 collegiate-level basketball players assigned to four supplementation conditions.

• Participants were randomly assigned to PLA, CH (30 g/h glucose solution), CAF (3 mg/kg body mass), or CH + CAF groups.
• Performance tests included CMJ, 20-m sprint, CODAT, Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1, free throw test, and straight-line dribbling speed test.
• Physiological monitoring included heart rate and blood lactic acid levels during and after tests.
• A crossover design was used, meaning participants served in multiple conditions.