Caffeine or Creatine Prevent Skill Loss With Sleep Deprivation

Caffeine or Creatine Prevent Skill Loss With Sleep Deprivation

Sleep deprivation decreases sports performance, particularly in complex motor skills. A British study showed that sleep deprivation impaired rugby passing skills, but giving athletes either creatine monohydrate or caffeine supplements prevented this. Passing skills were assessed in athletes following a night of sleep deprivation (three to five hours of sleep). Administering caffeine (doses of 1 or 5 mgs per kilogram bodyweight) or creatine (50 or 100 mgs per kilogram) prevented decreases in skilled performance.

Many studies have shown that creatine and caffeine positively affect mental function. These effects carry over to sports performance. (Journal International Society Sports Nutrition, 8:2, 2011)