Effects of caffeine intake on exercise performance in basketball players: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Liu J, Xue R, Zhang X, Huang J, Chen B, Guo L, Cao Y, Girard O
Frontiers in nutrition · 1 citation
How it was studied
- Design
- Systematic review (indexed by PubMed)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Independent funding
Based on full-text disclosure statement.
Publication
- Published
- 2026-05-07 · Front Nutr · vol. 13 · p. 1837912
- Publisher
- Frontiers Media
- Cited
- 2 citations · more than 96% of similar papers · 6.0× the field average
- Impact
- Top 10% most cited in its field
- References
- 64 works
- Access
- Open access (journal) · CC-BY
- Research areas
- Coffee research and impacts · Muscle metabolism and nutrition · Pharmacology and Obesity Treatment
- Keywords
- Caffeine, Sprint, Crossover study, Athletes, Basketball, Jump, Vertical jump
8 authors
From CN, AU
- Jingxin LiuShanghai University of Sport
- Ruiguo XueShanghai University of Sport
- 张宣嘉Shanghai University of Sport
- Jin HuangShanghai University of Sport
- Bin ChenFujian Agriculture and Forestry University
- Li GuoShanghai University of Sport
Abstract
Background
The ergogenic effects of caffeine in team sports, particularly basketball, have been widely investigated. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of caffeine intake on basketball-specific skills and general physical and game-related performance outcomes.
Methods
Eighteen studies employing a blinded, crossover design were included. Random-effects meta-analyses examined the effects of caffeine intake on isolated skills (e.g., free-throw and three-point shooting accuracy, dribbling speed), general physical performance (e.g., sprint speed, jump height, and agility), and game-related actions during real or simulated matches (e.g., assists, total points scored, and performance index rating).
Results
Low to moderate doses of caffeine intake improved general physical performance, including linear sprint speed (SMD: -0.27; 95% CI: -0.42- -0.13; p p p = 0.04), and agility, reflected by shorter test completion times (SMD: -0.25; 95% CI: -0.51-0.00; p = 0.05). Low caffeine doses (2.3-3 mg/kg) did not significantly improve basketball-specific skills (i.e., shooting accuracy and dribbling speed), but were associated with enhanced overall performance during real or simulated competition (SMD: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.10-0.40; p p = 0.01) and power (SMD: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.63-1.39; p < 0.01).
Conclusion
In basketball, low-dose caffeine primarily enhances general physical rather than isolated technical skills. These findings highlight the importance of dose selection, suggesting that moderate caffeine dosage (>3 mg/kg) may be required to meaningfully influence performance in match-like basketball settings.
Systematic review registration
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251060676, Identifier: CRD420251060676.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher (CC BY).
Community trust
Loading…
How much do you trust this study's findings?
Comments
Sign in to rate, comment on or flag this study.Sign inSomething wrong here?
Flag this study if its information, labels or funding look wrong. An editor reviews every flag.
Sign in to rate, comment on or flag this study.Sign inEducational information about published research. Not medical advice, and not a recommendation to start or stop anything.