Exploring the minimum ergogenic dose of caffeine on resistance exercise performance: A meta-analytic approach.
Caffeine ingestion has well-established ergogenic effects for resistance exercise performance. However, the concept of a minimum effective caffeine dose has not yet been thoroughly examined in the literature. Therefore, this review aimed to explore the minimum ergogenic dose of caffeine on resistance exercise outcomes, such as muscular strength, endurance, and velocity, using a meta-analytic approach. The search for eligible studies was performed through six databases. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the PEDro checklist. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed for data analysis. Twelve studies that provided caffeine supplementation in doses from 0.9 to 2 mg/kg were included. The studies were classified as being of good or excellent methodological quality. The results revealed an ergogenic effect of caffeine for muscular strength (Cohen d: 0.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.03-0.31; P = 0.02), muscular endurance (Cohen d: 0.21; 95% CI, 0.07-0.35; P = 0.003), and mean velocity (Cohen d: 0.56; 95% CI, 0.12-1.01; P = 0.01). This review demonstrated an ergogenic effect of very low doses of caffeine on resistance exercise performance. The magnitude of these effects was similar to that previously reported with higher caffeine doses. These findings highlight that the minimal ergogenic doses of caffeine are even lower than previously suggested. Such doses of caffeine can be consumed through a regular diet, because for most individuals, a dose of approximately 1 to 2 mg/kg is equivalent to a dose of caffeine in one to two cups of coffee.
Grgic 2022(Nutrition)は「運動前カフェインの最低有効量」を初めて整理したメタ解析。0.9〜2mg/kgという少量(コーヒー1杯程度)でも、筋力・筋持久力・出力速度すべてに有意な向上が確認された。これまでの「3〜6mg/kg」推奨より遥かに少ない量で効く。
実用的には「コーヒー1杯を運動30〜60分前」で十分ということ。胃に負担がかからず、不眠やジッタリーも起きにくい。私自身は朝のZone 2前にコーヒー1杯(約95mg)、夕方のトレ前は何も入れない(睡眠を守るため)。
ただしカフェイン耐性は遺伝(CYP1A2)とコーヒー習慣で大きく変わる。普段からコーヒーを飲んでいる人ほど効果は薄く、たまにしか飲まない人は効果が大きい。「運動の日だけ」飲む使い方が一番ROIが高い。