Sodium phosphate and caffeine for repeated sprinting
What it found
In 12 female team-sport players, sodium phosphate and caffeine together made repeated sprints faster than a placebo.
Sodium phosphate on its own also made sprints faster than a placebo.
What they found
Studies in people
Combined loading and sprints
Total sprint times were faster after sodium phosphate and caffeine together than after a placebo, in Set 1, Set 2, Set 3 and overall. They were also faster than caffeine alone in Set 3 and overall, and faster than sodium phosphate alone in Set 3.
Sodium phosphate alone
Total sprint times were faster after sodium phosphate alone than after a placebo in Set 1 and Set 3.
Best sprint times
Best sprint results were faster after sodium phosphate and caffeine together than after a placebo and after caffeine alone, both in Set 3. Best sprint times were also faster after sodium phosphate alone than after a placebo across all sets.
What the authors conclude
“Sodium phosphate and combined sodium phosphate and caffeine loading improved repeated-sprint ability.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that sodium phosphate and combined sodium phosphate and caffeine loading improved repeated-sprint ability.
How it was done
Twelve female team-sport players took part in four trials: sodium phosphate with caffeine, sodium phosphate with a caffeine placebo, caffeine with a sodium phosphate placebo, and a placebo for both. Each trial was about 21 days apart, and after each one they did a simulated team-game circuit of 4 x 15 minute quarters with 6 x 20 metre repeated sprints before, at half-time and after the end.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This was a small trial of 12 female team-sport players, so the results may not apply to other people or other sports.
- The trials were about 21 days apart, so the findings only cover this short-term loading and testing schedule.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- a The University of Western Australia, Australia; b Edge Hill University, UK
The paper
- Title
- Effects of sodium phosphate and caffeine loading on repeated-sprint ability
- Type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Buck C, Guelfi K, Dawson B, McNaughton L, Wallman K (2015). Effects of sodium phosphate and caffeine loading on repeated-sprint ability. Journal of sports sciences. doi:10.1080/02640414.2015.1025235PubMed 25827059DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error