Caffeinated Chewing Gum on Special Forces Performance

Not Applicable

Not yet recruiting

• Conditions: Caffeine; Placebo

• Registration Number: NCT06638372
• Lead Sponsor: National Taiwan Sport University

Brief Summary

The purpose of this project is to investigate the effects of caffeine chewing gum on the cognitive functions and special operations capabilities of special forces.

Detailed Description

Using a randomisation crossover design, 20-40 active-duty special forces members who had undergone leave and special forces reserve training were divided into a caffeine trial (CAF) and a placebo trail (PL). After chewing caffeine-containing gum containing 5 mg/kg (CAF group) or caffeine-free gum (PL group) for 15 minutes, then performed a simple reaction test, a stroop test, a visual search test, a grip strength test, a vertical jump test, a 20-metre sprint test, and a counter-terrorism simulation test. A heart rate monitor was used to measure the heart rate and heart rate variability of the participants. Saliva samples were collected and analysed for α-Amylase, cortisol and caffeine concentrations before the test, after a 15-minute break from chewing gum and at the end of the test. Completion time of cognitive functions, grip strength, vertical jump height, 20 m sprint time, time to completion of the counterterrorism simulation test, and target score will be analysed using paired-sample t-tests.

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2024-10
• Study First Submitted: 2024-10-05
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-10-09
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-10-09
• Study First Posted: 2024-10-11
• Last Update Posted: 2024-10-11
• Study Start: 2025-07-01
• Primary Completion: 2025-12-31
• Study Completion: 2026-06-30

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Sex: Male
• Target Recruitment: 20

Inclusion Criteria

• Active Special Warfare Unit members who have passed the Grade A Special Forces Reserve Training
• No cardiovascular and joint diseases
• Adult male over 20 years old

Exclusion Criteria

• Non-active Special Warfare Unit members
• Have cardiovascular and joint diseases
• Under age

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Stroop task	15 minutes after intervention	The color-word Stroop task were conducted using Psych/Lab for Windows. The reaction time (millisecond) were recorded.
visual search test	15 minutes after intervention	The visual search test were conducted using Psych/Lab for Windows. The reaction time (millisecond) were recorded.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
anti-terrorist operations	15 minutes after intervention	Target shooting and target finding. The completed time (seconds) were recorded.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

National Taiwan University of Sport; 🇨🇳 Taichung, North, Taiwan