In 12 healthy young adults, caffeine intake (5.5 mg per kilogram of body mass) 60 min before exercise enhanced both mean and peak sprint power output during repeated cycling sprint tests, with noticeable performance benefits lasting for at least 3.5 hours after ingestion. Caffeine also increased plasma noradrenaline concentrations after sprint exercise, decreased ratings of perceived exertion and leg muscle pain, altered cardiovascular and respiratory responses, and reduced middle cerebral artery blood velocity, a common index of cerebral blood flow. These findings show that a single pre-exercise caffeine dose can maintain its performance-enhancing effects for several hours during prolonged intermittent exercise. They provide new insight into how long caffeine’s performance-enhancing effects persist and may help athletes better take advantage of caffeine’s effects during prolonged competitions.

【Title】Pre-exercise caffeine enhances repeated sprint performance and alters physiological and perceptual responses with effects lasting up to 3.5 h
【Authors】Mizuki Nishikawa, Manabu Shibasaki, Naoto Fujii
【Journal】Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
【Date】September 1, 2026 (Published online)
【DOI】　10.1249/MSS.0000000000004129