Objectives This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of caffeine on mean speed, rate of perceived effort and lactate concentration of swimmers who underwent traditional, high-intensity intermittent aerobic training sessions. Materials and methods In this double-blind study, capsules containing either caffeine (6 mg kg-1) or placebo, were administered randomly over 2 sessions to ten male swimmers (18.2 ± 1.7 years). One hour after ingestion, the male swimmers swam ten iterations of 400 meters at heavy domain intensity, each one separated by 60 seconds of passive rest. The swimmers` ratio perceived exertion and blood lactate levels were tested before the beginning of the test, and after the fifth and tenth iteration. Results The swimmers` mean speed was higher in caffeine treatment than placebo (P < 0.001). Additionally, exertion levels were lower after the fifth iteration in caffeine group compared to placebo (P < 0.001). The level of lactate was lower after the fifth and tenth iteration with caffeine ingestion compared to placebo (P < 0.001). In conclusion, the caffeine increased the speed and decreased the perceptual and lactacidemic responses during a traditional, high-intensity intermittent aerobic training session.
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