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Caffeine vs. Carbohydrate Mouth Rinsing in Soccer

Caffeine vs. Carbohydrate Mouth Rinsing in Soccer: Effects on Passing Performance and Psychophysiological Responses in Youth Players

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06881316
Acronym
CAFMR-CHOMR
Enrollment
20
Registered
2025-03-18
Start date
2025-02-10
Completion date
2025-02-26
Last updated
2025-03-18

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Performance, Soccer, Caffeine and Carbohydrate, Cognitive Function, Technical Skill

Keywords

Performance, caffeine mouth-rinsing, carbohydrate mouth-rinsing, cognitive-motor function, technical skill execution

Brief summary

The present study evaluated the influence of carbohydrate mouth-rinsing (CHO-MR), caffeine mouth-rinsing (CAF-MR), and control-substance mouth rinses on Loughborough soccer passing test (LSPT) performance. The study participants were involved in a randomized, double-blind, repeated-measures design that employed four sessions (familiarization, CHOMR, CAFMR, and CONT) over ten days at a testing facility. Participants took part in six test sessions 72 hours apart. In the CHO group, 6% w/v glucose solution was used. In the CAFF group, 6% w/v glucose solution was used. CONT group, only exercise was performed without any condition.

Detailed description

Participants were involved in a randomized, double-blind, repeated-measures design that employed four sessions (familiarization, LSPTCHO, LSPTCAFF, and LSPTCONT) over ten days at a testing facility. The initial session was an orientation, allowing participants to acclimate to the LSPT protocol and provide written informed consent. This session used water as a mouth rinse. Anthropometric data were also collected. Before the LSPT, participants completed 15-minute standardized warm-up sections, including jogging, sprinting, and integrating soccer-specific actions. The participants were asked to complete the LSPT at any time. During the tests, participants were blinded to the test scores. The following three sessions were test trials conducted between 15.00 h and 17.00 h at 32°C and 40% humidity. The participants performed the LSPT 72 h apart, LSPTCHO (6% w/v glucose solution), LSPTCAFF (1.2% w/v caffeine solution), and LSPTCONT conditions. Caffeine and CHO solutions were prepared in an equivalent saccharin base to ensure indistinguishability within the Falcon Sterile Tube and agitated for 30 seconds on a vortex mixer. Participants were instructed to avoid intense activity 24 hours before testing, observe a 2-hour fast before sessions, and abstain from caffeinated products on test days. All the test sessions were performed at 32°C and 40% humidity.

Interventions

OTHERCaffeine

Participants' solutions were prepared in separate Falcon Sterile Tubes: LSPTCAFF (1.2% w/v caffeine solution, Nature's Supreme). An MRI was performed before the LSPT. The solution was sweetened with non-caloric artificial sweeteners consisting of sucralose. The caffeine solution was prepared in an equivalent saccharin base and shaken for 30 seconds in a vortex mixer to ensure distinguishability. Participants swished the solution in their mouth for 10 seconds before LSPT and then emptied it back into the container to be weighed again. To ensure that the solutions were not swallowed, the containers were measured before and after all MRs using a full precision balance (Etekcity, USA) accurate to 1 g/0.04 oz.

OTHERCHO

Participants' solutions were prepared in separate Falcon Sterile Tubes: LSPTCHO (6% w/ v glucose solution, Protein Ocean, Turkey) An MRI was performed prior to LSPT. The solution was sweetened with non-caloric artificial sweeteners consisting of sucralose. The CHO solution was prepared in an equivalent saccharin base and shaken for 30 seconds in a vortex mixer to ensure distinguishability. Participants swished the solution in their mouth for 10 seconds before LSPT and then emptied it back into the container to be weighed again. To ensure that the solutions were not swallowed, the containers were measured before and after all MRs using a full precision balance (Etekcity, USA) accurate to 1 g/0.04 oz.

OTHERControl

For the control condition, no supplements were taken and only exercise was performed.

Sponsors

Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Outcomes Assessor)

Masking description

Participants were strictly separated and think their intervention is the main intervention. The same was true for care providers. Outcome assessors were unaware of participant group status and were not allowed to ask correspondingly.

Intervention model description

Crossover Assignment

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
14 Years to 16 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Being healthy * Male soccer players * Willing to maintain the intervention for all sessions

Exclusion criteria

* Being under 14 years old * Having a chronic disease * Contraindication for caffeine mouth-rinsing (CAF-MR) * Contraindication for carbohydrate mouth-rinsing (CHO-MR) * Contraindications for exercise

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Psychophysiological Responses-Heart RateFrom baseline to the end of treatment at 2 weeksParticipants used a Polar H10 heart rate (HR) transmitter synchronized with a Polar V800 watch to track the HR throughout the session. Participants' heart rate mean, heart rate peak and heart rate percentage were recorded.
Psychophysiological Responses-Rating of Perceived ExertionFrom baseline to the end of treatment at 2 weeksExercise intensity in all test sessions was quantified using the rating of perceived exertion (RPE), which employs a category ratio scale ranging from 6 to 20. This scale has recently been applied in sports psychology to assess effort related to emotions and performance during competitive events.
Psychophysiological Responses-Enjoyment-Brunel mood of statesFrom baseline to the end of treatment at 2 weeksall participants completed the exercise enjoyment scale (EES), which comprises eight items rated on a 1-7 Likert scale. This scale has been validated to measure enjoyment in Turkish adolescents and adults. To assess subjective mental fatigue levels, participants were instructed to indicate their degree of mental fatigue on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS).
Loughborough Soccer Passing Test (LSPT)From baseline to the end of treatment at 2 weeksParticipants were informed that the LSPT was a timed performance assessment and instructed to complete it as expeditiously as possible while minimizing penalties. The LSPT comprises 16 passes: eight short passes to red and white targets 3.5m from the passing zone and eight slightly longer passes to green and blue targets 4m away. Targets were constructed by affixing colored cards (0.3 x 0.6m) to the center of standard gymnasium benches, with a vertical aluminum strip (0.1 x 0.15m) fixed to the target's center for auditory feedback on successful passes. Four randomized passing sequences were generated. An examiner announces that the subsequent target color is released immediately after the previous pass. A stopwatch measured the test duration, commencing when the participant moved the ball into the passing zone and concluding when the final pass contacted the target area.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Anthropometric Measurements 1BaselineBefore breakfast, participants had their weight (kg) measured using a body composition analyser (BC-418MA, Tanita Corp., Tokyo, Japan). This device utilises bioelectrical impedance technology using multiple frequencies (ranging from 1 kHz to 50 kHz) to comprehensively assess body composition parameters.

Other

MeasureTime frameDescription
Anthropometric Measurements 3BaselineBefore breakfast, participants had their body mass index (kg/m2) measured using a body composition analyser (BC-418MA, Tanita Corp., Tokyo, Japan). This device utilises bioelectrical impedance technology using multiple frequencies (ranging from 1 kHz to 50 kHz) to comprehensively assess body composition parameters.
Anthropometric Measurements 2BaselineBefore breakfast, participants had their height (cm) measured using a body composition analyser (BC-418MA, Tanita Corp., Tokyo, Japan). This device utilises bioelectrical impedance technology using multiple frequencies (ranging from 1 kHz to 50 kHz) to comprehensively assess body composition parameters.

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026