Acute effects of a caffeine-containing supplement on bench press and leg extension strength and time to exhaustion during cycle ergometry

The purpose of the present study was to examine the acute effects of a caffeine-containing supplement (SUPP) on 1 repetition maximum (1RM) bench press and leg extension strength, as well as time to exhaustion (TTE), during cycle ergometry at a power output that corresponded to 80% of VO₂peak. The study used a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover design. Twentyone untrained men (mean ± SD age = 23.0 ± 2.6 yr) were randomly assigned to take either the SUPP or placebo (PLAC) first. The SUPP contained 400 mg of caffeine, 66.7 mg of capsicum extract, 10 mg of bioperine, and 40 mg of niacin, and the PLAC was microcrystalline cellulose. Sixty minutes after taking either the SUPP or PLAC, the subjects were tested for 1RM bench press and leg extension strength, as well as TTE. After 1 week of rest, the subjects ingested the opposite substance (SUPP or PLAC) and were retested for 1RM bench press and leg extension strength, as well as TTE. The results indicated that the SUPP had no effect on 1RM bench press strength, 1RM leg extension strength, or TTE at 80% VO₂peak. These findings did not support the use of the caffeinecontaining SUPP in the present study as an ergogenic aid in untrained individuals.