Document Type : Research Paper I Open Access I Released under CC BY-NC 4.0 license
Authors
Hakim Sabzevari University, department of sport physiology
Abstract
The purpose of present study was to examine the effects of caffeine and ephedrine supplement and their combination on maximal strength and mucular endurance in male bodybuilders. 12 male bodybuilders (mean age: 24.41±4.42 years, height: 174.83±3.61 cm and weight: 75.67±8.05 kg) were selected voluntarily. The study design was crossover, in which the subjects were placed in 7 different conditions of control (Con), Ephedrine ((E), 0.8 mg/kg); caffeine ((C), 6 mg/kg), a combination of E + C (0.8 mg/kg + 6mg/kg), placebo 1, placebo 2 and placebo 3 (sarch powder as capsul) with a period of one week between each conditions. In each session, subjects performed a one repetition maximum (1RM) test for maximum strength and a 70 % repetition untill exhaustion test for muscular endurance in bench press and leg press. The data was analyzed using the Kolmogrov – Smirnov, repeated measrues ANOVA and Tukey post – hoc tests, at significance level of P<0.05.The results showed that ephedrine and caffeine supplement caused significant increase in lower body strength (P<0.05) and upper body endurance (P<0.05). Also, combination of caffeine and ephedrine supplement caused significant increase in lower body strength and endurance (P<0.05). In addition, caffeine and ephedrine supplement did not have any significant effect on upper body strength and lower body endurance. Caffeine and ephedrine combination had no significant effect on upper body strength and endurance. It can be concluded that male bodybuilders should consume ephedrine (0.8 mg/kg) or caffeine (6 mg/kg) supplements for improving upper body endurance, and the combination of caffeine and ephedrine supplements for improving lower body endurance. All the three supplements can be used to improve lower body strength.
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