Background: Systematic caffeine supplementation can modulate oxidative responses caused by metabolic and oxidative stress during high-intensity handball matches and facilitate improved performance and physiological recovery of professional athletes by optimizing oxidative-antioxidant and enhancing the activity of antioxidant defense enzymes.
Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of supplemental caffeine on the antioxidant and physiological performance of professional handball players under stressful conditions caused by intense competition.
Methodology: This quasi-experimental study was conducted with the participation of 14 male students aged 18 to 23 years who were randomly divided into two groups: caffeine supplementation (6 mg per kilogram of body weight) and placebo; after four weeks of supplementation and exercise, blood samples were collected before and after the intervention and data were analyzed with dependent and independent t-tests.
Result: In the caffeine supplement group, MDA levels decreased significantly after the race (p < 0.05), while the placebo group did not change. The activities of SOD and GPx enzymes increased significantly after the race in the caffeine group (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the placebo group. Also, CAT activity increased significantly after the race in the caffeine group (p = 0.027) and the post-test CAT level in this group was significantly higher than in the placebo group (p = 0.027), while the placebo group did not change significantly (p = 0.512). These results indicate the strengthening of the antioxidant defense system due to caffeine supplementation.
Conclusions: Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that caffeine supplementation can prevent damage caused by oxidative stress during intense sports competitions by strengthening the body's antioxidant defense mechanisms and help improve the performance and recovery of athletes.