Time Course of Jump Recovery and Performance After Velocity-Based Priming and Concurrent Caffeine Intake.

Morning priming exercise and caffeine intake have been previously suggested as an effective strategy to increase within-day performance and readiness. However, the concurrent effect of both strategies is unknown. The present research aimed to map the within-day time course of recovery and performance of countermovement jump (CMJ) outcomes, kinetics, and strategy and readiness after priming alone and in combination with caffeine. Eleven participants performed a control, a priming exercise (Priming) and a priming with concurrent caffeine intake (PrimingCaf) in a double-blind randomized, crossover design. CMJ metrics were assessed before, post, and 2 h, 4 h, and 6 h after each condition while readiness was assessed at 6 h. Perceived physical, mental performance capability and activation balance were higher at 6 h after Priming and PrimingCaf conditions. Immediate reductions in jump height (5.45 to 6.25%; p < .046), concentric peak velocity (2.40 to 2.59%; p < .041) and reactive strength index-modified (RSImod) (9.06 to 9.23% p < .051) after Priming and PrimingCaf were observed, being recovered at 2 h (p > .99). Concentric impulse was restored in PrimingCaf (p > .754; d = -0.03 to-0.08) despite lower concentric mean force/BM (p < .662; d = -0.18 to -0.26) as concentric duration was increased (p > .513; d = 0.15 to 0.21). Individual analysis revealed that some participants benefit from both strategies as they showed increases in jump height over the smallest worthwhile change while others did not. Psychological readiness was increased after both priming conditions at 6 h; however, it seems necessary to consider individual changes to achieve the positive effects of the priming or the priming in combination with caffeine on jumping outcomes.