Consumption of caffeine has been shown to promote ergogenic effects on the performance of team sports' athletes. The purpose of the present study was to compare the effect of the consumption of a caffeinated sports drink (CSD) and an advertised carbohydrate drink (ACD) on soccer players' performance in tests to evaluate physical-motor soccer game skills. The athletes were submitted to two tests, vertical jump (Sargent Jump) and Illinois Agility Test, which were performed before and after the games during which CSD (7% of carbohydrate (CHO), caffeine concentration equivalent to 250 mg.l-1) or ACD (no caffeine, 7% of CHO) were ingested. The results indicated that CSD significantly increased (p<0.01) the height reached in the jump compared to before its consumption and to after ACD consumption (p=0.02). ACD did not increase power of lower limbs (PLL). Neither CSD (p =0.62) nor ACD (p = 0.93) increased test skills evaluated after the game in comparison to before the game. Neither drinks improved performance in the test skills after the game (p = 0.95). The consumption of CSD led to soccer player ergogenic effect by increasing the PLL explosive strength. However, in terms of skill, it was not possible to identify advantages in performance.
caffeine; explosive strength; vertical jump; agility; performance
