Effects of Theacrine as a Pre-Workout Supplement

Abstract

The search to increase physical performance is inherent to physical activity practitioners, and nutrition features are among the alternatives to seeking such an increase. The literature from the area has shown that different substances can promote beneficial effects over physical performance. One substance that has come into the spotlight is theacrine, an alkaloid similar to caffeine, which aims to increase physical performance. However, the studies on this supplement are scarce. Therefore, this study is a randomized, controlled trial that aimed to verify the effects of theacrine supplementation over physical performance in young male athletes, by applying a battery of physical tests. Twenty-two male amateur flag-football athletes were recruited. Subjects were divided into two groups and assessed at two moments, which were 72 h apart. The first assessment served as a basal measurement. In the second, the subjects ingested the supplement or a placebo 60 min before the following tests: sextuple jump, agility T test, 30 m sprint, 40 s run test (Matsudo test), and 12 min run test (Cooper test). There was no difference between the groups in any of the tests. Therefore, the findings of this study do not support the use of theacrine to increase physical performance.