NCT07129863

Caffeine Mouth Rinsing at Different Doses in Female Team-Sport Athletes: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Caffeine Mouth Rinsing at Different Doses Does Not Enhance Anaerobic Sprint Performance in Female Team-Sport Athletes: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 13 (actual)
• Sponsor: Universidad Pontificia Comillas · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 18 Years – 35 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Objective: To evaluate the effects of different caffeine mouth rinse concentrations (1%, 2%, and 3%) on Running Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST) performance in female team-sport athletes. Main Questions: 1. Do caffeine mouth rinses improve RAST performance in female team-sport athletes? 2. Do different caffeine mouth rinse concentrations affect ratings of perceived exertion (RPE)? Method: Thirteen trained female football and handball players (23.0 ± 4.5 years) completed four randomized, double-blind, crossover conditions (1%, 2%, and 3% caffeine mouth rinses, and placebo). Each trial involved six 35 m sprints separated by 10 s of rest. RPE was recorded immediately after each session.

Detailed description

Objective: To evaluate the acute effects of different caffeine mouth rinse concentrations (1%, 2%, and 3%) on anaerobic sprint performance and perceived exertion in trained female team-sport athletes. The study sought to determine whether this non-ingestive ergogenic strategy could enhance high-intensity running performance and reduce effort perception. Main Questions: 1. Do different caffeine mouth rinse concentrations improve Running Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST) performance in trained female team-sport athletes? 2. Do caffeine mouth rinses at varying concentrations influence ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) compared with placebo? Is there an optimal caffeine concentration that balances potential performance benefits with reduced perceived exertion? Method: Thirteen trained female athletes (mean age 23.0 ± 4.5 years) competing in football and handball participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. Each athlete completed four experimental conditions: placebo, 1% caffeine mouth rinse, 2% caffeine mouth rinse, and 3% caffeine mouth rinse. In each session, participants performed a Running Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST) consisting of six maximal 35 m sprints separated by 10 seconds of passive recovery. The RPE was assessed immediately after each test using a 1-10 scale.

Conditions

• Dietary Supplement
• Sports Performance

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT	Placebo: Mouth rinse with plain water	Placebo: Mouth rinse with plain water, containing no caffeine, serving as the control condition.
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT	Experimental: Low mouth rinse caffeine concentration (1%)	Arm Description: Low caffeine concentration: Mouth rinse containing 1% caffeine solution (based on weight/volume).
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT	Moderate caffeine concentration (2% caffeine solution weight/volume).	Moderate caffeine concentration: Mouth rinse containing 2% caffeine solution (weight/volume).
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT	High caffeine concentration (3% caffeine solution weight/volume).	High caffeine concentration: Mouth rinse containing 3% caffeine solution (weight/volume).

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-09-24
• Primary completion: 2024-12-01
• Completion: 2024-12-22
• First posted: 2025-08-19
• Last updated: 2025-08-19

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)