Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Nigel Jiwan, Kinesiology
Document Type
Poster
Event Date
4-17-2026
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Carbohydrate mouth rinsing may enhance performance via central nervous system mechanisms; however, the effects of caffeine mouth rinsing on high-intensity intermittent exercise and reaction time remain understudied in female lacrosse athletes, despite the sport’s repeated high-intensity demands and the practical benefits of mouth rinsing to minimize gastrointestinal discomfort. PURPOSE: To examine the effects of carbohydrate and carbohydrate plus caffeine mouth rinsing on repeated sprint and reaction-time performance in female lacrosse players following high-intensity exercise. METHODS: Fourteen collegiate female lacrosse players (age: 19 ± 1.28 yr; height: 167.8 ± 5.6 cm; body mass: 102.9 ± 43.1 kg) completed three randomized, counterbalanced crossover trials. Each session began with an 8-min fatiguing bodyweight circuit (12 exercises; 30 s work, 10 s rest), followed by a mouth rinse with carbohydrate (C), carbohydrate plus 1.2% caffeine (C+C), or placebo (PL). Participants then performed six 30-m repeated sprints with 10 s passive recovery, completed a second mouth rinse, and performed a reaction-time assessment using BlazePods (three 30-s trials). Sprint time, BlazePod hits, and reaction time were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed between conditions for total sprint time (C: 36.41 ± 3.41s; PL: 36.49 ± 2.23s; C+C: 36.23 ± 2.55s; p = .897), BlazePod hits (C: 59.79 ± 10.18; PL: 61.07 ± 7.05; C+C: 61.14 ± 7.27; p = .791), or reaction time (C: 391.43 ± 90.96ms; PL: 376.07 ± 61.99ms; C+C: 370.71 ± 58.76ms; p = .525). Sprint 1 was significantly faster than sprint 6 across all conditions (p < .05), indicating a fatigue effect. CONCLUSION: Mouth rinsing with carbohydrate or caffeine did not enhance repeated sprint or reaction-time performance in female lacrosse players following fatiguing exercise. Further research with larger samples may clarify effects in female athletes.
Recommended Citation
Repository citation: Burgess, Alexa; Hermann, Katie; Rea, Lina; and Dieppa, Olivia, "Carbohydrate and Caffeine Mouth Rinsing: Effects on Cognitive and Physical Performance in Fatigued Division III Women’s Lacrosse Players" (2026). 25th Annual A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2026). Paper 4.
https://digitalcommons.hope.edu/curca_25/4
April 17, 2026. Copyright © 2026 Hope College, Holland, Michigan.
Comments
This research was supported by the Hope College Kinesiology Department.