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Caffeine shows no ergogenic effect on sport-specific or physical performance in female volleyball playersCaffeine does not improve performance for female volleyball players

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Key Takeaway
Interpret the lack of ergogenic effect of caffeine in female volleyball players as preliminary evidence; do not base recommendations on this review alone.

This systematic review and three-level meta-analysis examined the effects of acute caffeine supplementation (2–6.4 mg/kg) on multidimensional performance outcomes in female volleyball players, based on a sample of 66 participants. The primary outcomes included sport-specific performance (spike performance), physical performance (jump height, change of direction, handgrip strength, power output), and physiological outcomes (fatigue- and heart rate-related parameters).

Across all outcomes, the meta-analysis found no clear evidence supporting an ergogenic effect of caffeine. All p-values were > 0.05, and effect sizes were not reported. The authors noted that the evidence is limited, preliminary, and exploratory, with a very low certainty rating according to GRADE assessment.

Safety data indicated potential adverse events including hand tremors, anxiety, and excessive stimulation, though serious adverse events and discontinuations were not reported. The authors caution that findings should be interpreted cautiously and not used as a basis for definitive practical recommendations.

Practice relevance is restrained: given the very low certainty evidence, clinicians should not recommend caffeine for performance enhancement in female volleyball players based on this review alone.

How this fits prior evidence

This meta-analysis contrasts with prior coverage suggesting caffeine benefits for female athletes in intermittent sports regarding agility and vertical jump performance. While that prior finding indicated improvements in agility and vertical jump, the current review found no clear effect on jump height or other physical outcomes in volleyball players specifically. The discrepancy may reflect differences in sport-specific demands or the preliminary nature of the evidence. This review also addresses a gap by focusing on volleyball-specific performance (spike performance), which was not covered in prior caffeine studies.

If you are a volleyball player looking for an edge on the court, you might have considered using caffeine to boost your energy. You might hope it helps with explosive movements like jumping or gives you more power during a long match. However, recent research suggests that caffeine may not provide these specific benefits.

The study looked at 66 female volleyball players who took caffeine before competing. Researchers measured several things, including jump height, handgrip strength, and how well they performed during spikes. They also checked physical markers like heart rate and fatigue levels. In every category tested, the data showed no clear evidence that caffeine actually improved performance.

Because this evidence is still preliminary and exploratory, it should be viewed with caution. The researchers noted that the findings are not yet enough to make firm recommendations for athletes. If you are considering supplements for your sport, talk to a professional to see what works best for your specific goals.

What this means for you:
Caffeine did not show any clear benefits for jump height, power, or spike performance in female volleyball players.

Common questions

Does caffeine help with jumping or power?

The study found no clear evidence that caffeine improved physical performance metrics like jump height, change of direction, handgrip strength, or power output in female volleyball players. The results were not statistically significant.

Does caffeine improve specific skills like spiking?

The researchers found no clear evidence that caffeine had an ergogenic effect on sport-specific performance, such as spike performance, for the athletes involved in the study.

Are there side effects to using caffeine before a game?

Some people who used caffeine reported experiencing hand tremors, anxiety, and excessive stimulation. Because these findings are preliminary, you should talk to your doctor about how caffeine might affect you personally.

Study Details

Study typeMeta analysis
EvidenceLevel 1
PublishedJul 2026
View Original Abstract ↓
IntroductionPrevious research has suggested that caffeine can enhance performance in volleyball. However, most meta-analyses on caffeine supplementation in volleyball have primarily focused on male athletes or mixed-sex samples. To date, no meta-analysis has specifically examined the effects of caffeine in female volleyball players. Therefore, the present study aimed to synthesize the available evidence to provide a cautious and preliminary evaluation of the effects of caffeine on multidimensional performance outcomes in female volleyball athletes.MethodsA systematic search was conducted in March 2026 across PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and ProQuest. The review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420261355948). Randomized controlled trials examining the effects of caffeine intake on performance in female volleyball players were included. Methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed using the PEDro scale and the RoB 2 tool, and the certainty of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE approach.ResultsFive studies were included, comprising a total of 66 female athletes. Overall methodological quality was high, although some risk of bias was identified. According to the GRADE assessment, the overall certainty of evidence was very low. The exploratory meta-analysis did not provide clear evidence supporting an ergogenic effect of caffeine supplementation on sport-specific performance (spike performance), physical performance (jump height, change of direction, handgrip strength, and power output), or physiological outcomes (fatigue- and heart rate-related parameters) in female volleyball players (p > 0.05). In addition, caffeine intake was associated with potential adverse effects, including hand tremors, anxiety, and excessive stimulation.ConclusionBased on the currently limited evidence, acute caffeine ingestion (2–6.4 mg/kg) did not show a consistent ergogenic benefit multiple performance outcomes in female volleyball players and may be associated with potential adverse effects, such as hand tremors and anxiety. Therefore, the findings should be interpreted cautiously as preliminary and exploratory evidence rather than as a basis for definitive practical recommendations.Systematic review registrationThis systematic review was registered in PROSPERO (Registration number: CRD420261355948); URL: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420261355948.
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