Caffeinated chewing gum produces comparable strength and power gains to capsules with fewer side effects in resistance-trained men

Background Caffeine, widely used as an ergogenic aid, has been extensively studied regarding its dosage and timing of ingestion. However, the impact of different administration methods on caffeine’s performance-enhancing effects remains relatively underexplored. This study compared the effects of ca...

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Main Authors: Li Ding, Jue Liu, Yixuan Ma, Litian Bai, Li Guo, Bin Chen, Yinhang Cao, Olivier Girard
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15502783.2025.2531173
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author Li Ding
Jue Liu
Yixuan Ma
Litian Bai
Li Guo
Bin Chen
Yinhang Cao
Olivier Girard
author_facet Li Ding
Jue Liu
Yixuan Ma
Litian Bai
Li Guo
Bin Chen
Yinhang Cao
Olivier Girard
author_sort Li Ding
collection DOAJ
description Background Caffeine, widely used as an ergogenic aid, has been extensively studied regarding its dosage and timing of ingestion. However, the impact of different administration methods on caffeine’s performance-enhancing effects remains relatively underexplored. This study compared the effects of caffeine administered via chewing gum versus capsules on maximal strength, muscular power, and side effects during bench press and back squat exercises.Methods Sixteen resistance-trained males participated in a double-blind, randomized trial, ingesting either a 4 mg/kg caffeine capsule (CC) or placebo capsule (PC) one hour before testing, or a 4 mg/kg caffeinated gum (CG) (4 mg/kg) or placebo gum (PG) five minutes prior. Assessments including one-repetition maximum (1RM) and muscular power at 25%, 50%, 75%, and 90%1RM for bench press and back squat.Results Caffeine increased 1RM (+2.1–5.0%) and muscular power (+6.1–20.0%) in both the bench press and back squat compared to placebo (all p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed between CC and CG for maximal strength or muscular power (all p > 0.05). Furthermore, CG was associated with fewer reports of gastrointestinal discomfort (12.5% vs. 37.5%) immediately post-exercise and tachycardia/heart palpitations (0% vs. 25.0%) at 24 hours compared to CC (all p < 0.05).Conclusion Caffeinated gum (4 mg/kg) produced ergogenic effects comparable to capsules in enhancing maximal strength and muscular power during bench press and back squat exercises, with fewer side effects in resistance-trained men.
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spelling doaj-art-cfed2d7f3b2b40ceaf81c7e09124c6c22025-08-20T03:50:01ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition1550-27832025-12-0122110.1080/15502783.2025.2531173Caffeinated chewing gum produces comparable strength and power gains to capsules with fewer side effects in resistance-trained menLi Ding0Jue Liu1Yixuan Ma2Litian Bai3Li Guo4Bin Chen5Yinhang Cao6Olivier Girard7Shanghai University of Sport, Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences (Ministry of Education)School of Athletic Performance, Shanghai, ChinaFudan University, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai, ChinaShanghai University of Sport, Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences (Ministry of Education)School of Athletic Performance, Shanghai, ChinaShanghai University of Sport, School of Athletic Performance, Shanghai, ChinaShanghai University of Sport, School of Exercise and Health, Shanghai, ChinaFujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Department of Public Physical Education, Fuzhou, ChinaShanghai University of Sport, Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences (Ministry of Education)School of Athletic Performance, Shanghai, ChinaThe University of Western Australia, School of Human Sciences (Exercise and Sport Science), Perth, AustraliaBackground Caffeine, widely used as an ergogenic aid, has been extensively studied regarding its dosage and timing of ingestion. However, the impact of different administration methods on caffeine’s performance-enhancing effects remains relatively underexplored. This study compared the effects of caffeine administered via chewing gum versus capsules on maximal strength, muscular power, and side effects during bench press and back squat exercises.Methods Sixteen resistance-trained males participated in a double-blind, randomized trial, ingesting either a 4 mg/kg caffeine capsule (CC) or placebo capsule (PC) one hour before testing, or a 4 mg/kg caffeinated gum (CG) (4 mg/kg) or placebo gum (PG) five minutes prior. Assessments including one-repetition maximum (1RM) and muscular power at 25%, 50%, 75%, and 90%1RM for bench press and back squat.Results Caffeine increased 1RM (+2.1–5.0%) and muscular power (+6.1–20.0%) in both the bench press and back squat compared to placebo (all p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed between CC and CG for maximal strength or muscular power (all p > 0.05). Furthermore, CG was associated with fewer reports of gastrointestinal discomfort (12.5% vs. 37.5%) immediately post-exercise and tachycardia/heart palpitations (0% vs. 25.0%) at 24 hours compared to CC (all p < 0.05).Conclusion Caffeinated gum (4 mg/kg) produced ergogenic effects comparable to capsules in enhancing maximal strength and muscular power during bench press and back squat exercises, with fewer side effects in resistance-trained men.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15502783.2025.2531173Ergogenic aidcaffeine administrationone-maximum repetitionresistance exerciseload-power relationship
spellingShingle Li Ding
Jue Liu
Yixuan Ma
Litian Bai
Li Guo
Bin Chen
Yinhang Cao
Olivier Girard
Caffeinated chewing gum produces comparable strength and power gains to capsules with fewer side effects in resistance-trained men
Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
Ergogenic aid
caffeine administration
one-maximum repetition
resistance exercise
load-power relationship
title Caffeinated chewing gum produces comparable strength and power gains to capsules with fewer side effects in resistance-trained men
title_full Caffeinated chewing gum produces comparable strength and power gains to capsules with fewer side effects in resistance-trained men
title_fullStr Caffeinated chewing gum produces comparable strength and power gains to capsules with fewer side effects in resistance-trained men
title_full_unstemmed Caffeinated chewing gum produces comparable strength and power gains to capsules with fewer side effects in resistance-trained men
title_short Caffeinated chewing gum produces comparable strength and power gains to capsules with fewer side effects in resistance-trained men
title_sort caffeinated chewing gum produces comparable strength and power gains to capsules with fewer side effects in resistance trained men
topic Ergogenic aid
caffeine administration
one-maximum repetition
resistance exercise
load-power relationship
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15502783.2025.2531173
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