Caffeinated Gum Softball Performance

October 6, 2023 updated by: Chih-Hui Chiu

Effects of Caffeinated Gum on a Batting and Pitching Performance of Female Softball Players: a Crossover Trial

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of caffeinated chewing gum on female softball pitching and hitting performance. 24 trained female softball players (10 pitchers and 14 fielders) were divided into a caffeine chewing gum trial (CAF) or a placebo trial (PLA) in a single-blind, randomized, crossover experimental design. Two pieces of gum containing 100 mg of caffeine (CAF) or without caffeine (PLA) were chewed for 10 minutes and then spit out, followed by a 15-minute warm-up. The physical tests included grip strength and countermovement jump. The softball-specific tests included pitching (fast ball speed) or hitting (exit speed). The two trials were separated by seven days.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

This study utilized a randomized, crossover, single-blind experimental design. At least two familiarization tests were conducted one week before the formal trial to ensure each participant was familiar with the experimental procedures. Before the first formal trial, participants were randomly assigned to either the caffeinated chewing gum trial (CAF) with 200 mg of caffeine or the placebo trial (PLA) without caffeine, seven days apart (Figure 1). The primary outcome was the pitching and hitting performance, and the secondary outcomes were hand grip strength and height of countermovement jump.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

24

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

      • Taichung, Taiwan, 404
        • National Taiwan University of Sport

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • 1. adult female; 2. at least six years of professional softball training and familiarity with all softball skills; 3. caffeine intake of less than 80 mg daily.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • 1. not professionally trained; 2. having a medical condition for which exercise is not recommended, such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or heart disease; 3. having any musculoskeletal injuries within the last six months or not being able to complete a full trial; 4. having a history of caffeine allergy.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: caffeine gum
The gum containing 200 mg of caffeine (CAF) were chewed for 10 minutes before test
Observing the effect of chewing gum on the performance of female softball players.
Placebo Comparator: placebo
The gum without caffeine (PLA) were chewed for 10 minutes before test
Observing the effect of chewing gum on the performance of female softball players.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
pitching performance
Time Frame: 15 min after intervention
Throw 10 fastballs
15 min after intervention
batting performance
Time Frame: 15 min after intervention
Hit 15 balls
15 min after intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

May 20, 2022

Primary Completion (Actual)

December 20, 2022

Study Completion (Actual)

December 20, 2022

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

October 6, 2023

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

October 6, 2023

First Posted (Actual)

October 12, 2023

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

October 12, 2023

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

October 6, 2023

Last Verified

October 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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