Effects of Caffeine on Behavioural Parameters: Analysis of Impulsivity and Character Strengths

Abstract

Caffeine is a substance widely used in sports due to its ergogenic effects on physical performance and cognition. However, its impact on socioemotional skills remains underexplored. This study aimed to analyse the effects of acute caffeine intake on impulsivity and character strengths in combat sport athletes. The sample consisted of 19 male athletes, with a mean age of 32.2 ± 12.1 years, distributed across three experimental groups: Placebo (0 mg), CAF250 (250 mg), and CAF450 (450 mg). Participants completed the Character Strengths Scale and the Go/No-Go test. Statistical analysis (one-way ANOVA) did not identify significant differences between groups in terms of impulsivity. However, statistically significant differences were found in the variable social intelligence, one of the character strengths evaluated. Specifically, the group that received 450 mg of caffeine showed significantly lower scores compared to the Placebo and CAF250 groups. These findings suggest that high doses of caffeine may have negative effects on social skills, even if they do not impair inhibitory control.