Caffeine supplementation and muscle damage in soccer players

Abstract

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of caffeine supplementation and intermittent exercise on the muscle injury markers in soccer players. 15 male professional soccer players completed a placebo controlled double blind test protocol. 45 minutes before exercise, participants ingested 5.5 mg.kg-1 body mass of caffeine (EXP, n=8) or placebo (CONT, n=7). The exercise was 12 sets of 10 sprints (20 m each) with 10 sec recovery time between sprints and 2 min between sets. Blood samples were collected before (PRE) and 48h after exercise (POST). Serum activity of CK, LDH, AST, and ALT were quantified. Serum enzyme activity was enhanced by exercise in both groups, without a synergistic effect of caffeine. The findings suggest muscle injury markers concentration increases after physical activities, but caffeine supplementation (as used in this study) has no influence upon muscle cellular integrity.