Background: Caffeine, a widely used central nervous system stimulant, has been extensively studied for its potential to enhance exercise performance. However, systematic evaluations of its effects on badminton-specific performance remain limited, particularly in the domains of cognitive function and technical skills. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the acute effects of caffeine ingestion on cognitive, physical, and technical performance in elite badminton players. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design was employed. Fifteen elite male badminton players holding a national first-class athlete certificate participated. Each ingested either caffeine (5mg/kg body mass) or a placebo, followed by a 45-min absorption period and a 50-min standardized fatigue protocol. Participants then completed badminton-specific performance tests, including the Anticipation Skills Test (AST), Smash Accuracy Test (SAT), Shuttle Run Agility Test (SRAT), and Repeated Sprint Test (RST). A 7-day washout period was applied between conditions. Results: Significant treatment × time interaction effects were observed for anticipation accuracy (F = 4.992, p = 0.029), reaction time (F = 4.084, p = 0.048), and visual search frequency (F = 8.514, p = 0.005), indicating improved post-fatigue performance in the caffeine condition, whereas the placebo condition declined or remained unchanged. In terms of physical performance, the caffeine group demonstrated superior overall agility in the SRAT (F = 4.097, p = 0.048) and showed an anti-fatigue effect in the RST (F = 5.283, p = 0.025). However, caffeine ingestion did not significantly affect smash accuracy (p = 0.942) or ratings of perceived exertion (RPE; p = 0.917). Conclusion: Acute ingestion of 5mg/kg caffeine significantly enhanced cognitive and physical performance under fatigue in elite badminton players, while exerting no apparent effect on fine technical skills.
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