Caffeine Responsiveness Before and After Pilates Training in Healthy Older Adults

Objective

The study aimed to assess responsiveness to the effects of acute caffeine intake after 8 weeks of Pilates intervention in healthy older adults.

Methods

Fifteen healthy older adults performed physical performance regarding daily practice, strength, and balance tests after ingestion of acute 5 mg/kg of caffeine or placebo before and after Pilates training.

Results

The caffeine intake reduced, regardless of Pilates training, the time in 10-m walk test (before placebo vs caffeine, 6.48 ± 0.70 vs 6.51 ± 0.82 seconds; after placebo vs caffeine, 5.84 ± 0.70 vs 5.48 ± 0.61 seconds; P = .008; η_p² = 0.404) and timed up and go test (before placebo vs caffeine, 26.30 ± 1.82 vs 24.37 ± 2.12 seconds; after placebo vs caffeine, 22.96 ± 2.36 vs 22.49 ± 2.27 seconds; P = .002; η_p² = 0.517) compared with the placebo. Participants were not less responsive to caffeine intake in the 10-m walk test (ΔPre vs ΔPost, −0.33 ± 0.66 vs −0.36 ± 0.53 seconds; P = .888), but they were less responsive for the timed up and go test (ΔPre vs ΔPost, −1.92 ± 2.06 vs −0.47 ± 1.15 seconds; P = 0.030) after Pilates intervention. There were no differences for the sit-to-stand test, rising from the floor, dress and undress T-shirt, handgrip strength, and balance variables.

Conclusion

Although the caffeine improved on the 10-m walk test and timed up and go test performance, healthy older adults were less responsive to caffeine after Pilates training only for performance on the timed up and go test.