Caffeine supplementation has been shown to increase time to exhaustion in aerobic performance, but has not been examined in a field setting for multiple-bout mid-distance running performance. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if caffeine supplementation had a positive effect on the overall performance in Division II male and female collegiate mid-distance athletes. Overall performance was ultimately determined by the participants' multiple-bout one-mile and 400-meter times on a 200-meter indoor track field setting. The secondary purpose of this study was to analyze heart rate and blood lactate levels during recovery after both bouts. Methods: Twelve Division II middle-distance track athletes (6 males/6 females) were assigned to a double-blind, equal randomization, crossover design study. Participants consumed 6 mg·kg-1 of NoDoz caffeine or placebo (sugar pill) one hour prior to a maximal effort one-mile bout followed by a structured recovery period; then they performed a maximal effort 400-meter bout. A total of two trials were performed, separated by one week. Each participant underwent each treatment. Results: Male participants' immediate post 400-meter HR placebo (PCB) vs. male immediate post 400-meter HR caffeine (CAF) was found to be significant (p <.OS). For the females, statistical significance was found in the S-minute pre-mile BL PCB vs. S-minute pre-mile BL CAF (p < .OS). There was no statistical significance for caffeine increasing overall running performance (time) in either the mile or 400-meter bouts for either genders. Conclusions: Though caffeine was not found to be statistically significant to benefit mile or 400-meter times, practically caffeine may be a viable method for improving performance based on observably faster mile and 400-meter times. However, more research is needed.
