Caffeine Mouthwash and Its Impact on Anaerobic Power in Active Men

Abstract

Caffeine is considered one of the most commonly used ergogenic aids across a wide range of athletic disciplines. Its popularity has led to the development of various forms, including caffeine mouthwashes. Caffeine mouthwashes, as one of the newer delivery methods, have attracted researchers’ attention due to their direct and rapid absorption through the oral mucosa. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of varying caffeine mouth rinse protocols on Wingate test anaerobic power indices. Using a randomized crossover design, participants completed four experimental sessions in which they used a 2% caffeine mouthwash for 10, 20, or 30 seconds, or a placebo mouthwash, before performing a Wingate anaerobic test. During each session, following the mouthwash administration, anaerobic power indices were assessed using the Wingate test on a cycle ergometer. All data were analyzed through repeated-measures ANOVA. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Data analysis showed that caffeine mouthwash duration had no significant effect on power drop (p = 0.165) or mean anaerobic power (p = 0.962). In contrast, peak anaerobic power was significantly higher following the 30 second caffeine mouthwash compared with placebo (p = 0.033), and time to reach maximum speed was significantly shorter after the 30 second condition compared with both the 10 second caffeine mouthwash and placebo (p < 0.05). Shorter rinsing durations (10 and 20 seconds) did not differ from placebo for these outcomes. These findings indicate that caffeine mouthwash can influence select anaerobic performance indices, with ergogenic effects evident only when rinsing duration is sufficiently prolonged.