Although we had a small sample, this study suggests a decrease muscle
soreness for the upper body compared to the lower body musculature after
caffeine consumption. We also discovered adverse effects of those who are
caffeine sensitive, mainly a reduction in performance. The promising results
despite not being statistically significant warrant a closer investigation with
a larger sample size.
• The findings to date support the theory that caffeine decreases Delayed Onset
Muscle Soreness (DOMS).
• Athletes can ingest caffeine before exercise to improve their overall
performance without being hampered by severe muscle soreness days after
exercise.
• The significance of this research is that we used a readily available caffeine
supplement as well as tested common lifting techniques rather than isokinetic
exercises. This research was designed to be translational in nature, thus making
it relatable to the average lifter.
• This study noted more muscle soreness found in the lower body than the upper
body, although not statistically significant. More research with a broader
sample size is necessary.
• In future research we plan to utilize the study of Creatinine Kinase in the blood
as well as focusing on more eccentric exercises. By measuring the amount of
Creatinine kinase in the blood we can measure the intensity of the muscle
soreness.
• Sample size of 10 male college aged individuals (18-25 of age).
• Prospective candidates must have been resistance training two days a week for
the past six months.
• The amount of caffeine administered will be 2, 200 mg capsules of caffeine
• The research study totals a span of 9 days for each participant.
• All participants are given either a caffeine pill (ProLab Caffeine) or a placebo
pill (Mega Men Mini Tablets) orally 1 hour before each exercise session
excluding day 1.
• The Borg’s Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale was used to measure
effort level and a 0-10 numeric Pain Scale to measure muscle soreness.
• The RPE scales are taken immediately after each set and the pain scales are
recorded immediately after each exercise session and every day for two days
following the session.
• Each participant is instructed to maintain a food journal and avoid the
consumption of caffeine throughout the study.
• All participants receive a reminder phone call/email (depends on preference) to
fill out the pain scale and nutrition journals.
The goal of this study is to primarily determine if a commercially
available dose (400 mg, 2 pills) is enough caffeine to elicit a reduction in
muscle soreness. Below are secondary questions we hope to answer.
1. Do the caffeine subjects and placebo subjects experience the same level
of muscle soreness 1-3 days after exercise.
2. Is there a difference in post exercise muscle soreness between the
upper and lower body muscles.
3. Are the Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE) lower in caffeine subjects
than in placebo subjects.
• Caffeine’s use in aerobic exercise is well documented but the affect of
caffeine on muscle soreness and the perception of pain after resistance
training exercise is not.
• The theory behind caffeine’s effect on muscle soreness suggests that
caffeine blocks the Adenosine receptors in the brain while also exciting
other neurotransmitters, increasing the heart rate and dilating the
blood vessels. Adenosine is a neurotransmitter in the brain and spinal
cord that has specific receptors. When Adenosine binds to these
receptors the body becomes lethargic and slow. Adenosine is also
associated with pain processing. It is hypothesized that when caffeine is
consumed it binds to the Adenosine receptors reducing sluggishness
and pain, thus increasing energy and performance.
The Effect of Caffeine on Delayed Onset Muscle
Soreness (DOMS)Scott Bradley Jr., Renee M. Jeffreys, Matthew D. Cunningham
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Florida Gulf Coast University, FL
Research Methods
Research Questions
Results and Future Work
Conclusion
Caffeine Pill Placebo Pill
Introduction Data Chart
Pain Scale
This project is funded by an Inter Professional Grant from the College of
Health Professions and Social work under the Exercise is Medicine®
Initiative. #EIM@FGCU
Funding Sources