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Analysis of institutional authors

Lopez-Seoane, JaimeCorresponding Author

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October 17, 2022
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Synergy of carbohydrate and caffeine ingestion on physical performance and metabolic responses to exercise: A systematic review with meta-analysis

Publicated to:Critical Reviews In Food Science And Nutrition. 64 (10): 2941-2959 - 2024-01-01 64(10), DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2128298

Authors: Lopez-Seoane, Jaime; Buitrago-Morales, Marta; Jimenez, Sergio L.; Del Coso, Juan; Pareja-Galeano, Helios;

Affiliations

Red Espanola Invest Ejercicio Fis & Salud EXERNET, Madrid, Spain - Author
Univ Autonoma Madrid, Dept Phys Educ Sport & Human Movement, Madrid, Spain - Author
Univ Europea Madrid, Fac Sports Sci & Physiotherapy, Madrid, Spain - Author
Univ Politecn Madrid, Fac Phys Act & Sport Sci INEF, Dept Hlth & Human Performance, ImFINE Res Grp, Madrid, Spain - Author
Univ Rey Juan Carlos, Ctr Sport Studies, Madrid, Spain - Author
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Abstract

Carbohydrates (CHO) and caffeine (CAF) are two ergogenic aids commonly used among athletes to enhance performance. However, there is some controversy as to whether the concurrent intake of both supplements might result in an additive and synergistic improvement in exercise performance. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the effect of adding CAF to a protocol of CHO ingestion, compared with the intake of each ergogenic aid alone and with placebo, on exercise performance and metabolic responses in healthy young physically active adults. This study was conducted according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The PubMed, Web of Science, Medline Complete, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus and CENTRAL databases were searched including randomized controlled trials (RCT) that were at least single blind. The risk of bias assessment was performed using the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool 2. Meta-analysis were performed on performance variables and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) using the random-effects model. Thirteen RCT with 128 participants (117 men and 11 women) were included in this study. The ingestion of CAF and CHO reduced sprint time during repeated sprint protocols in comparison with CHO isolated ingestion (SMD: -0.45; 95% CI: -0.85, -0.05) while there was a tendency for a reduction in the time employed during time trials (SMD: -0.36; 95% CI: -0.77, 0.05). The RPE tended to be lower with CAF and CHO compared with CHO isolated ingestion during steady-state exercise (SMD: -0.43; 95% CI: -0.91, 0.05) with no differences between conditions in performance trials (SMD: -0.05, 95% CI: -0.39, 0.29). Although most of the studies showed higher values of blood glucose when CHO was co-ingested with CAF compared with PLA, only two studies observed higher values with CHO and CAF co-ingestion with respect to the isolated intake of CHO. One study observed greater fat oxidation and lower glycogen use when CAF was added to CHO. In terms of cortisol levels, one study showed an increase in cortisol levels when CAF was co-ingested with CHO compared with PLA. In summary, concurrent CHO and CAF intake may produce an additive ergogenic effect respect of the isolated ingestion of CHO. This additive effect was present when CHO was provided by a 6-9% of CHO solution (maltodextrin/dextrin + fructose) and CAF is administered in a dose of 4-6.5 mg/kg.

Keywords

AdultCaffeineDietary carbohydratesEatingErgogenic aidFatFemaleGelHumansHydrocortisoneIntensityMaleMuscleNutrition and exercise physiologyPerceived exertionPerformancePhysical activityPhysical functional performancePolyestersRecoverySubstrate metabolismSupplementation

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Critical Reviews In Food Science And Nutrition due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2024 there are still no calculated indicators, but in 2023, it was in position 6/112, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Nutrition & Dietetics. Notably, the journal is positioned above the 90th percentile.

From a relative perspective, and based on the normalized impact indicator calculated from the Field Citation Ratio (FCR) of the Dimensions source, it yields a value of: 2.43, which indicates that, compared to works in the same discipline and in the same year of publication, it ranks as a work cited above average. (source consulted: Dimensions Aug 2025)

Specifically, and according to different indexing agencies, this work has accumulated citations as of 2025-08-22, the following number of citations:

  • Scopus: 4

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-08-22:

  • The use, from an academic perspective evidenced by the Altmetric agency indicator referring to aggregations made by the personal bibliographic manager Mendeley, gives us a total of: 35.
  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 36 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

  • The Total Score from Altmetric: 47.95.
  • The number of mentions on the social network Facebook: 1 (Altmetric).
  • The number of mentions on the social network X (formerly Twitter): 41 (Altmetric).
  • The number of mentions in news outlets: 2 (Altmetric).

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (LÓPEZ-SEOANE PUENTE, JAIME) .

the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been LÓPEZ-SEOANE PUENTE, JAIME.