Public Health Report: Caffeine and Athlete Performance

This report investigates the impact of caffeine supplementation on athletic performance, addressing a scenario presented by a sports association seeking to develop position statements on nutritional supplements. The report is divided into two parts. Part one focuses on the effectiveness of caffeine in improving athlete performance, using a research question and PICO chart to guide a search of CINAHL and EBSCO databases. Two articles, a systematic review by Mielgo-Ayuso et al. (2019) and an RCT trial by Jodra et al. (2020), are critically appraised using CASP checklists. The findings suggest caffeine improves aerobic capacity and anaerobic performance, but effects may vary by athlete type and gender. Part two explores sporting professionals' experiences, beliefs, and concerns regarding nutritional supplements. A search strategy using a PICO format identifies qualitative studies by Pajor et al. (2017) and Jovanov et al. (2019), which are then critically appraised using CASP checklists. The analysis reveals a gap in knowledge about supplement benefits and risks, particularly among young athletes, suggesting a need for educational programs. The report concludes with recommendations for the sporting association to develop guidelines on caffeine dosage and implement educational initiatives to address knowledge gaps and promote safe supplement practices.