Acute effects of caffeinated chewing gum on basketball performance in elite female players

Abstract

Background: To date, no study has investigated the effects of acute intake of caffeinated chewing gum in female basketball players. Methods: Nine elite female basketball players participated in a randomized crossover placebo-controlled double-blind experiment. All athletes participated in two identical experimental trials 15 minutes after ingestion of (i) chewing gum containing 150 mg of caffeine (i.e.~2.3 ± 0.2 mg/kg of caffeine) or (ii) non-caffeinated chewing gum with an inert substance to produce a placebo. After the ingestion of the gum, the athletes performed the following tests: (i) a sprint test (0-20 m), (ii) agility T-test, (iii) isometric handgrip strength test, (iv) countermovement jump test, (v) free throw test, and (vi) three-point shot test. Results: No significant differences were observed in any physical or skill-based tests (p > 0.05 for all). However, the effect size in the sprint and agility T-Test, jump height test, and free-throw test was higher in the caffeine conditions, with effect sizes of small or moderate magnitude (ES = 0.31 – 0.64) over the placebo. Conclusion: From a practical perspective, the benefits of caffeinated chewing gum are minor, at least in elite athletes with a mild level of caffeine consumption.