Caffeinated Gum Softball Performance

Caffeine Clinical Trial

Official title:

Effects of Caffeinated Gum on a Batting and Pitching Performance of Female Softball Players: a Crossover Trial

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT06079996
• Other study ID #: 112-2
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: May 20, 2022
• Est. completion date: December 20, 2022

Study information

• Verified date: October 2023
• Source: National Taiwan Sport University
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of caffeinated chewing gum on female softball pitching and hitting performance. 24 trained female softball players (10 pitchers and 14 fielders) were divided into a caffeine chewing gum trial (CAF) or a placebo trial (PLA) in a single-blind, randomized, crossover experimental design. Two pieces of gum containing 100 mg of caffeine (CAF) or without caffeine (PLA) were chewed for 10 minutes and then spit out, followed by a 15-minute warm-up. The physical tests included grip strength and countermovement jump. The softball-specific tests included pitching (fast ball speed) or hitting (exit speed). The two trials were separated by seven days.

Description:

This study utilized a randomized, crossover, single-blind experimental design. At least two familiarization tests were conducted one week before the formal trial to ensure each participant was familiar with the experimental procedures. Before the first formal trial, participants were randomly assigned to either the caffeinated chewing gum trial (CAF) with 200 mg of caffeine or the placebo trial (PLA) without caffeine, seven days apart (Figure 1). The primary outcome was the pitching and hitting performance, and the secondary outcomes were hand grip strength and height of countermovement jump.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 24
• Est. completion date: December 20, 2022
• Est. primary completion date: December 20, 2022
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: Female
• Age group: 20 Years to 30 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• 1. adult female; 2. at least six years of professional softball training and familiarity with all softball skills; 3. caffeine intake of less than 80 mg daily.

Exclusion Criteria:

• 1. not professionally trained; 2. having a medical condition for which exercise is not recommended, such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or heart disease; 3. having any musculoskeletal injuries within the last six months or not being able to complete a full trial; 4. having a history of caffeine allergy.

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Caffeine

Intervention

Other:
• CAFFEINE GUM
Observing the effect of chewing gum on the performance of female softball players.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Taiwan	National Taiwan University of Sport	Taichung

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Chih-Hui Chiu

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Taiwan, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	pitching performance	Throw 10 fastballs	15 min after intervention
Primary	batting performance	Hit 15 balls	15 min after intervention