Effects of acute caffeine ingestion on futsal performance in sub-elite players

Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover with 16 healthy, sub-elite, male futsal players from two Portuguese teams (2nd division). Mean age 27.95 ± 4.11 years; height 173.8 ± 6.1 cm; body mass 71.21 ± 9.69 kg; futsal experience 12.4 ± 2.9 years; habitual caffeine consumption <1 mg/kg/day. Exclusions: intolerance to caffeine, chronic pathology or injury in the month prior.

Caffeine, 3 mg/kg body mass, taken as a gelatin capsule with 150 mL water, 60 minutes before testing.

Compared with placebo, caffeine (3 mg/kg) increased countermovement jump height by 2.8% (p=0.048; ES=0.29) and reduced 20-m sprint time by 2.2% (p=0.044; ES=-0.54). In a simulated futsal match, caffeine increased distance covered at >14.4 km/h by 19.6% (p=0.021; ES=0.58), as well as accelerations/decelerations by 4.2% (p=0.044; ES=0.57) and body impacts by 8.1% (p=0.040; ES=0.27). No improvement in ball velocity or shooting accuracy. Side effects did not differ from placebo. Conclusion: A 3 mg/kg caffeine dose can enhance jump height, sprint speed, high-intensity running, and match-play activity in sub-elite male futsal players during a simulated game, with low side-effect prevalence; caffeine is a practical ergogenic aid for futsal, though dose should be individualized and pre-competition testing is advised; reducing habitual caffeine intake may augment effects.

Simulated match duration was shorter than official futsal matches; only a single caffeine dose (3 mg/kg) was tested; small sample size (16) of healthy, sub-elite male players; results may not generalize to women or players with different training backgrounds or habitual caffeine consumption; acute effects were studied, not long-term outcomes.