Caffeine Responsiveness Before and After Pilates Training in Healthy Older Adults

Objective: The study aimed to assess responsiveness to the effects of acute caffeine intake after 8 weeks of Pilates intervention in healthy older adults. Methods: Fifteen healthy older adults performed physical performance regarding daily practice, strength, and balance tests after ingestion of acute 5 mg/kg of caffeine or placebo before and after Pilates training. Results: The caffeine intake reduced, regardless of Pilates training, the time in 10-m walk test (before placebo vs caffeine, 6.48 f 0.70 vs 6.51 f 0.82 seconds; after placebo vs caffeine, 5.84 f 0.70 vs 5.48 f 0.61 seconds; P = .008; h p 2 = 0.404) and timed up and go test (before placebo vs caffeine, 26.30 f 1.82 vs 24.37 f 2.12 seconds; after placebo vs caffeine, 22.96 f 2.36 vs 22.49 f 2.27 seconds; P = .002; h p 2 = 0.517) compared with the placebo. Participants were not less responsive to caffeine intake in the 10-m walk test (DPre vs D Post,- 0.33 f 0.66 vs- 0.36 f 0.53 seconds; P = .888), but they were less responsive for the timed up and go test (DPre vs D Post,- 1.92 f 2.06 vs- 0.47 f 1.15 seconds; P = 0.030) after Pilates intervention. There were no differences for the sit-to-stand test, rising from the fl oor, dress and undress T-shirt, handgrip strength, and balance variables. Conclusion: Although the caffeine improved on the 10-m walk test and timed up and go test performance, healthy older adults were less responsive to caffeine after Pilates training only for performance on the timed up and go test. (J ed