Postgraduate Program in Physical Education, Center of Physical Education and Sports, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Vitória 29075-910, Brazil.
Centre of Research and Studies in Soccer (NUPEF), Physical Education Department, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Brazil.
Nutrients. 2022 Mar 31;14(7):1466. doi: 10.3390/nu14071466.
In soccer, physical, tactical, and decision-making processes are highly important facets of successful performance. Caffeine has well established effects for promoting both physical and cognitive performance, but the translation of such benefits specifically for soccer match play is not well established. This study examined the effects of acute caffeine ingestion on tactical performance during small-sided games (SSG) in professional soccer players. Nineteen soccer players (22 ± 4 years) underwent a randomized, counterbalanced, crossover, double-blind placebo-controlled trial. The protocol consisted of 5 bouts of 5-min SSG with 3 players plus a goalkeeper in each team (3 + GK × 3 + GK) with each SSG separated by 1 min rest intervals. Tactical performance was assessed using the system of tactical assessment in soccer (FUT-SAT). Prior to each experimental trial, participants ingested caffeine (5 mg·kg) or a placebo 60 min before the protocol. Overall, caffeine ingestion resulted in an increased ball possession time when compared to the placebo. When the offensive and defensive core principles were analyzed, the results were equivocal. Caffeine resulted in positive effects on some tactical decisions during the protocol, but it was deleterious or promoted no observed effect on other of the core tactical principles. Caffeine ingestion resulted in less offensive (during SSG3) and defensive (SSG 2, SSG3, and SSG4) errors. Caffeine ingestion also resulted in higher total offensive success during SSG 1 and SSG2, but it was detrimental during SSG3. Additionally, total defensive success was lower for the caffeine conditions during SSG 2 and SSG5 when compared to the placebo. In conclusion, caffeine influenced aspects of tactical decisions in soccer, resulting in fewer offensive and defensive errors, although it may be deleterious considering other tactical parameters. Future studies may clarify the effects of caffeine ingestion on specific decision-making parameters in soccer.
在足球中，身体、战术和决策过程是成功表现的重要方面。咖啡因对促进身体和认知表现都有很好的效果，但这种益处具体到足球比赛中的转化还没有得到很好的证实。本研究考察了急性咖啡因摄入对职业足球运动员小场比赛（SSG）战术表现的影响。19 名足球运动员（22±4 岁）接受了随机、交叉、双盲安慰剂对照试验。该方案包括 5 轮 5 分钟的 3 名球员加 1 名守门员的 SSG（3+GK×3+GK），每轮 SSG 之间间隔 1 分钟休息时间。战术表现使用足球战术评估系统（FUT-SAT）进行评估。在每个实验试验之前，参与者在方案开始前 60 分钟摄入咖啡因（5mg·kg）或安慰剂。总的来说，与安慰剂相比，咖啡因摄入可增加控球时间。当分析进攻和防守核心原则时，结果则不一致。咖啡因对方案中的一些战术决策产生了积极影响，但对其他核心战术原则则产生了有害或没有观察到的影响。咖啡因摄入可减少进攻（SSG3 期间）和防守（SSG2、SSG3 和 SSG4 期间）失误。咖啡因摄入还可增加 SSG1 和 SSG2 期间的总进攻成功率，但在 SSG3 期间则有害。此外，与安慰剂相比，咖啡因条件下 SSG2 和 SSG5 的总防守成功率较低。总之，咖啡因影响了足球比赛中的战术决策方面，减少了进攻和防守失误，尽管考虑到其他战术参数，它可能是有害的。未来的研究可能会阐明咖啡因摄入对足球特定决策参数的影响。
