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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07333443

Caffeine and Sport Climbing Performance

To determine the effects of ingesting caffeine at a dose of 3 mg/kg body mass on pull-up performance and handgrip-related measures in trained climbers.

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Key information

Conditions

Climbing Caffeine

Age range

18 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud. Universidad de Alcalá

Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, 28805, Spain

About this study

Introduction: Caffeine is widely recognized as a performance-enhancing substance across numerous athletic disciplines; however, its role in sport climbing has received comparatively limited scientific attention. Because climbing performance relies heavily on grip force, explosive upper-body strength, and localized muscular endurance, this investigation evaluated the short-term impact of a low caffeine dose on climbing-relevant performance outcomes.

Objective: To determine the effects of ingesting caffeine at a dose of 3 mg/kg body mass on pull-up performance and handgrip-related measures in trained climbers.

Methods: Thirteen trained young male climbers participated in a triple-blind, randomized, crossover study design, completing two experimental conditions (caffeine and placebo). Performance assessments included a pull-up one-repetition maximum (1RM), a pull-up power test conducted at multiple external loads, a pull-up endurance test, and several grip performance evaluations, namely maximal dead-hang duration, maximal dead-hang force, and rate of force development (RFD).

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Healthy individuals
  • Age between 18 and 40 years
  • At least three months of continuous climbing practice
  • Ability to hang for at least 5 seconds from an 18-mm edge
  • Ability to perform at least one strict body-weight pull-up

Exclusion criteria

  • Any musculoskeletal or medical condition preventing completion of the experimental protocol
  • Participation in less than three training sessions per week or a total training volume <150 min/week
  • Use of medications or dietary supplements known to affect caffeine metabolism

Treatment and study plan

Acute and moderate dose of caffeine (3 mg/kg body mass)

Dietary Supplement

Caffeine supplementation was provide to young male climbers.

Placebo

Dietary Supplement

Placebo supplementation was provide to young male climbers.

Primary outcomes

  1. Pull-up 1RM

    Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 4 weeks

  2. Pull-up strength and power test 1

    Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 4 weeks

    Mean and peak velocity will be recorded at 60%, 80%, 90%, 95% and 100% 1RM.

  3. Pull-up strength and power test 2

    Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 4 weeks

    Mean and peak power will be recorded at 60%, 80%, 90%, 95% and 100%1RM.

  4. Pull-up muscular endurance test

    Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 4 weeks

    Using body mass and perform one set of many repetitions as possible until task failure. The total number of repetitions, Vmean, Vpeak, Wmean and Wpeak were recorded.

  5. Grip endurance in dead-hang.

    Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 4 weeks

    Maximum hanging time (MHT) test at an 18-mm edge depth with each hand

  6. Maximum grip strength in dead-hang

    Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 4 weeks

    using the Strength Test (ST), which measures the maximal external load a participant can sustain for 5 seconds while hanging from an 18-mm edge

  7. Grip rate of force development (RFD).

    Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 4 weeks

    measuring the maximal one-hand pull (voluntary contraction) at an 18 mm edge with a force sensor

Secondary outcomes

  1. Body composition

    Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 4 weeks

    Using bioelectrical impedance

  2. Dietary habits

    Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 4 weeks

    24 h dietary recall

  3. Physical activity habits

    Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 4 weeks

    International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Report the unabbreviated scale title. Scores are typically expressed as MET-minutes/week or by activity categories (low, moderate, high), depending on the scoring protocol used. There is no fixed universal minimum or maximum score for MET-minutes/week, as scores depend on reported activity levels. Higher scores indicate better outcomes (greater physical activity).

  4. Rate of perceived exertion

    Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 4 weeks

    Using Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE). Category Ratio 10 (CR10) Scale: minimum 0, maximum 10 (or 11 if including "maximal"). Higher scores indicate worse outcomes (greater perceived exertion).

  5. Mood states

    Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 4 weeks

    Using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) on a 0-4 scale.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Alcala

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Caffeine Ingestion at Acute and Moderate Doses Does Not Improve Sport Climbing Performance: Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Acronym: Climbing&CAF

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Jan 12, 2026
Registry last updated
May 6, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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