A 5-Year Systematic Review (01 November 2019 to 31 October 2024) Ergogenic Effects of Caffeine on Endurance and Strength Performance
Natalie Lileen Chew1,2, Jun Kai Soh1,2, Nicholas Jia Le Yip1,2, Charmaine Zi Xuan Lim1,2, Riko Keting Sng1,2, Estelle Yun Chi Sim1,2 and Maurice Han Tong Ling1,2*
1School of Health and Nursing, Management Development Institute of Singapore, Singapore
2Department of Life Sciences, University of Roehampton, United Kingdom
*Corresponding Author: Maurice Han Tong Ling, School of Health and Nursing, Management Development Institute of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Life Sciences, University of Roehampton, United Kingdom.
Published: May 06, 2025
Abstract
Caffeine is common performance enhancing ergogenic aid. Though widely used, the extent of the effects of caffeine on individuals can vary due to individual variability in response to caffeine. This systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis on caffeine's ergogenic effects on endurance and strength performance while examining the influence of individual factors on these outcomes. A literature search was conducted on PubMed for studies on caffeine on endurance and strength performance from 01 November 2019 to 31 October 2024. Forty out of 179 articles were included and categorized into three main themes: (i) caffeine's impact on endurance performance, (ii) its effects on strength performance, and (iii) individual factors influencing its ergogenic potential. Findings reveal that caffeine enhances both endurance and strength performance by improving key parameters, as well as via its role as an adenosine receptor antagonist and other peripheral parameters. However, performance outcomes are influenced by individual variabilities such as genetics, including CYP1A2, ADORA2A, and ACE polymorphisms, along with dosage, timing of ingestion, and habitual caffeine intake, contribute to inconsistent performance outcomes.
Keywords: Caffeine; Strength performance; Endurance performance; Enhancement; Genetics
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