Caffeine’s Effects on an Upper Body Resistance Exercise Strength Workout

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of caffeine on an upper body resistance training strength workout using the barbell bench press. METHODS: Fifteen men (M ± SD, age: 23.1 ± 1.9 years; body mass: 89.1 ± 13.9 kg; height: 175 ± 6.1 cm), volunteered for three laboratory visits. During visit one, 1RM values were determined. For visit two, subjects consumed either 800 mg caffeine, or a placebo. Subjects then completed three sets of the barbell bench press to failure at 80% 1RM. Visit three was the same as visit two; however, participants consumed the opposite treatment as visit two. RESULTS: Participants completed significantly more average repetitions per set for the barbell bench press in the caffeine condition (M ± SD = 4.80 ± 2.66 repetitions) compared to the placebo condition (M ± SD = 4.42 ± 2.56 repetitions). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that caffeine has a positive ergogenic effect on upper body strength workout performance.