Effects of Caffeine Supplementation on Exercise Performance in Volleyball Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

TL;DR

This study finds that caffeine improves volleyball players' performance in both specific and general physical tasks.

Contribution

The novel contribution is a meta-analysis specifically focused on caffeine's effects in volleyball players.

Findings

Caffeine improves volleyball-specific actions like attack and serve accuracy.

Caffeine enhances jump performance and handgrip strength in volleyball players.

Caffeine increases positive game actions during simulated matches.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The ergogenic effects of caffeine in team sports, particularly volleyball, have received significant research attention. This study sought to examine the effects of caffeine on both volleyball-specific and general performance outcomes. Methods: This systematic review comprises 11 studies, each utilizing a blinded crossover experimental design. A meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effect model to determine the standardized mean difference (SMD), estimated by Hedges’ g, with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Caffeine supplementation improved volleyball-specific outcomes, including attack and serve accuracy (SMD: 0.50; 95% CI: 0.11–0.90; p = 0.01). Regarding nonspecific outcomes, caffeine increased single-jump performance (SMD: 0.23; 95% CI: 0.02–0.44; p = 0.03), repeated-jump performance (SMD: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.05–0.96; p = 0.03), and handgrip strength (SMD: 0.23; 95% CI: 0.03–0.42; p = 0.02), while decreasing agility test completion time (SMD: −0.32; 95% CI: −0.60–0.03; p = 0.03). Furthermore, caffeine increased the frequency of positive game actions during simulated volleyball matches (SMD: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.26–1.43; p < 0.01). Conclusions: Caffeine supplementation enhances physical performance and volleyball-specific actions during competition, supporting its role as an effective ergogenic aid for volleyball players.

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