Effects of Caffeine and Nicotine Gum on Balance Performance in Athletes

Gülbin Rudarlı

Status: Completed

Conditions: Postural Stability; Healhty; Athletic Performance

Treatments: Dietary Supplement: Nicotine Gum (4 mg); Other: Placebo Gum (Xylitol); Dietary Supplement: Caffeine Gum 3mg/kg

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07254832

EGE-24-3.1T-81

Details and patient eligibility

About

This randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled, four-condition crossover study evaluates the acute effects of caffeine gum (~3 mg/kg) and nicotine gum (4 mg) on balance performance in healthy, trained adults. Each participant completes four test visits (caffeine gum, nicotine gum, xylitol-based placebo gum, and no-gum control) separated by ≥24 hours. Static and dynamic balance are assessed using the ProKin 252 system under standardized procedures. The primary outcomes are postural sway (ellipse area) and center-of-pressure path length over predefined test trials/time frames. The objective is to determine whether acute administration of these stimulants alters balance-related performance relative to placebo and control.

Full description

This study evaluates the acute effects of two commonly used stimulants-caffeine and nicotine administered in chewing-gum form-on static and dynamic balance performance in healthy, trained adults. The trial uses a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled, four-condition crossover design. Twenty participants complete four laboratory visits scheduled at the same time of day and separated by a washout interval of at least 24 hours. The order of the four conditions is randomized.

Interventions are: (1) caffeine gum at approximately 3 mg/kg, (2) nicotine gum at 4 mg, (3) sugar-free xylitol-based placebo gum, and (4) a no-gum control condition. Pre-testing exposure is standardized across conditions: caffeine gum is chewed for 5 minutes, nicotine gum for 30 minutes, and placebo gum for 20 minutes prior to balance assessments. The control condition involves no gum exposure. All procedures are conducted under uniform laboratory conditions.

Balance performance is assessed immediately after the pre-specified exposure period using the ProKin 252 balance platform. Standardized static and dynamic balance tasks are administered according to device guidelines and site procedures. Primary outcomes are postural sway quantified as ellipse area and center-of-pressure path length over predefined trials/time frames. Additional procedural details (e.g., task sequence, rest intervals, and device settings) are maintained in the study manual to ensure consistency across visits.

The objective is to determine whether acute administration of caffeine or nicotine, relative to placebo and control, alters balance-related performance indices in healthy, physically active individuals.

Enrollment: 20 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 30 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. Be healthy, with no diagnosed neurological or musculoskeletal disorders
2. Be physically active and have at least 3 years of regular training history
3. Be between 18 and 30 years of age
4. Have no balance impairments or vestibular issues
5. Be non-smoker or not using tobacco during study days
6. Able to comply with the intervention protocols and attend all test sessions
7. Provide written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

1. Training age less than three years,
2. Having a disease or sports injury that will affect balance performance,
3. Using a drug or substance that affects balance,
4. Not being able to comply with or continue the study measurements.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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20 participants in 4 patient groups, including a placebo group

caffeine gum

Experimental group

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Caffeine Gum 3mg/kg

Nicotine Gum

Active Comparator group

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Nicotine Gum (4 mg)

Placebo Gum

Placebo Comparator group

Treatment:

Other: Placebo Gum (Xylitol)

Control

No Intervention group

Description:

No chewing gum administered; participants completed balance testing without any intervention.