CAFFEINE INTAKE ENHANCES ENDURANCE PERFORMANCE IN SUB-ELITE BUT NOT IN ELITE ATHLETES

The aim of our contribution is to evaluate the influence of caffeine(CAF)ingestion on maximal power output (MPO) during endurance performance. Two groups of men - 10sub elitecyclistsand 8 elite cyclists completed the randomized, crossover, double-blind study. Duringthree daysparticipantscompleted three identical experimentaltests (60min cyclingtime trial on 70 % VO2max followed by test to exhaustion). Threeexperimentalmeals - combination of 500ml water, gel supplement and specific dose of caffeine: placebo (PLA, no caffeine), CAF2 (2 mg/kg BW)and CAF7 (7 mg/kg BW) were administered 45min prior to the start of the experimental tests. Results show significant differences (0.018 and 0.019) between MPOPLA and MPOCAF7 and maximal MPOCAF2 and MPOCAF7 (p=0.05) only in group subelite cyclists. These findings indicate that caffeine intake at recommended levels is not associated with improved performance in professional level cyclist.