Effects of Acute Caffeine Ingestion on Cognitive Performance before and after Repeated Small-Sided Games in Professional Soccer Players: A Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Crossover Trial

Soccer is a team sport that requires players to process significant amount of information quickly and respond with both speed accuracy the ever-changing demands game. As such, success in soccer depends not only on physical attributes but also cognitive abilities such as perception decision-making. The aim current study was investigate acute effects caffeine ingestion Stroop test performance before after repeated small-sided games (SSG) professional players. Twelve male (29 ± 4.1 years; 78.1 7.7 kg body mass) participated this study. A randomized crossover double-blind placebo-controlled trial used. Caffeine (5 mg.kg−1) or placebo ingested 45 min protocol consisting five 5 SSG 1 rest intervals. computerized version colour completed immediately exercise protocol. During test, words appeared computer screen three different ways: (i) neutral (neutral condition); (ii) correspondent (i.e., “red” painted red; congruent condition), or; (iii) green; incongruent condition). condition aimed cause interference effect, word did match. Ratings perceived exertion (RPE) were assessed each SSG. RPE increased during sets (p < 0.001), without differences between trials. soccer-specific promoted faster response (two-way ANOVA main effect for protocol: p 0.05), no > 0.05). resulted slower reaction time trials supplementation: = 0.009, 0.045, 0.071, respectively). Accuracy lower 0.05 vs. pre- post-SSG protocol). In conclusion, improved players, detrimental.