Fast-Acting Caffeine: Does Caffeinated Chewing Gum Enhance Muscular Strength, Endurance, and Jumping Performance? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Varovic, D and Grgic, J. Fast-acting caffeine: Does caffeinated chewing gum enhance muscular strength, endurance, and jumping performance? A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Strength Cond Res 40(8): 1020-1029, 2026-Caffeine delivered through chewing gum is rapidly absorbed, making it a practical ergogenic aid for athletes. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and a multilevel meta-analysis exploring the effects of caffeinated chewing gum on muscular strength, endurance, and jump height. We searched 4 databases to find relevant studies. Meta-analyses of standardized mean differences (SMD) examined the effects of caffeinated chewing gum on muscular strength, endurance, and jumping performance. Subgroup analyses were performed by test type for muscular strength (dynamic and isometric tests) and jump height (countermovement jump [CMJ] and squat jump [SJ] tests). Twenty-one studies were included in the meta-analysis. An ergogenic effect of caffeinated chewing gum was found for muscular strength (SMD = 0.21; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.14-0.27). Subgroup analysis found ergogenic effects of caffeinated chewing gum for dynamic (SMD = 0.26; 95% CI: 0.12-0.40) and isometric (SMD = 0.18; 95% CI: 0.08-0.27) strength. There was no significant difference between caffeinated chewing gum and placebo for muscular endurance (SMD = 0.19; 95% CI: -0.18 to 0.56). An ergogenic effect of caffeinated chewing gum was found for jump height (SMD = 0.16; 95% CI: 0.06-0.26). Subgroup analysis found an ergogenic effect of caffeinated chewing gum for CMJ (SMD = 0.16; 95% CI: 0.05-0.27), but not SJ (SMD = 0.18; 95% CI: -0.06 to 0.42). Caffeinated chewing gum consumed shortly before exercise (∼5-25 minutes) confers a positive, but small ergogenic effect on dynamic and isometric muscular strength and jump height.