A low- dose of caffeine suppresses EEG alpha power and improves working memory in healthy University males

Distinct Visual Processing Patterns in Female Elite Athletes: A Comparative Study of Gymnastics, Soccer, and Esports Using Visual P300 Event-Related Potentials

Visual processing is crucial for sports performance, influencing athletes' ability to interpret and respond to visual stimuli. This study investigated distinct visual processing patterns among Thai elite athletes in gymnastics, soccer, and esports, utilizing visual P300 event-related potentials (P300 ERPs). Forty-two female athletes (14 gymnasts, 14 soccer players, and 14 esports athletes) participated. Visual P300 ERP responses were stimulated using the visual oddball paradigm. One-way ANOVA was employed to assess significant differences among the groups in P300 ERPs data, including amplitude and latency of waveforms, response time, and accuracy rate. Significant differences were found across the groups in various parameters. Esports athletes exhibited longer P300 ERP latencies at the frontal electrode sites compared to gymnasts (p = 0.01), suggesting slower visual processing in the frontal brain regions. Gymnasts demonstrated the fastest response times, significantly quicker than esports and soccer players (p < 0.01). In contrast, soccer players exhibited the highest accuracy rate (p = 0.03). These findings underscore athletes' diverse visual processing strategies in different sports contexts, reflecting sport-specific adaptations. Understanding these distinct visual processing patterns can guide targeted interventions aimed at improving cognitive abilities and decision-making processes among elite athletes, ultimately contributing to better overall performance.

Investigation of non-volatile and volatile compound profiles in Arabica coffee extracts and neurophysiological effects of different chemosensory stimulation according to sex: Insights from electronic sensors, EEG, and sLORETA approaches

This study investigated the non-volatile and volatile compound profiles of coffee extracts, as well as the neurophysiological effects of coffee inhalation and drinking. Non-volatile compounds, including caffeine and chlorogenic acid, were identified, and taste-related properties were investigated using an electronic tongue (E-tongue). Sourness, bitterness, and saltiness predominated in coffee extracts. 2-Furanmethanol, benzene ethanol, nonanal, and pyridine were found to be responsible for coffee odors using electronic nose (E-nose) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-olfactometry (GC-MS-O). Neurophysiologically, inhalation of volatiles in coffee differentially activated fast alpha and low-beta waves in both male (Brodmann areas (BA) 20, 21, 22, 36, and 37) and female (BA 9, 27, 30 35, 44, and 45) participants. However, drinking coffee extracts activated the mid-beta wave equally in both sexes (BA 2, 3, and 40). Accordingly, this study is expected to serve as a primary reference for the effects of coffee inhalation and drinking.

EEG differences in competitive female gymnastics, soccer, and esports athletes between resting states with eyes closed and open

Athletes heavily rely on visual perception for performance. This study delves into electroencephalographic (EEG) brain activity among gymnastics, soccer, and esports athletes during resting states with eyes closed (REC) and open (REO) and compares differences in EEG alpha power from REC to REO (∆ EC-EO Alpha) across athlete groups. Forty-two female participants, including 14 from each athletic discipline, underwent two 5-minute EEG recordings, first during REC and then during REO conditions. Absolute EEG power was analyzed for delta (δ), theta (θ), alpha (α), and beta (β) frequency bands across various brain regions, and ∆ EC-EO Alpha values were computed. During REC, soccer players exhibited heightened α power at the midline frontopolar (Fpz) and β power at the midline occipital (Oz). Conversely, during REO, soccer players displayed increased δ power at Fpz and midline frontal (Fz) and reduced α power at the midline central (Cz) compared to gymnasts, along with elevated θ power at Fpz. Esports athletes demonstrated higher δ power and decreased α power at Fpz and Cz compared to gymnasts. Gymnasts exhibited distinct cortical activation patterns characterized by lower ∆ EC-EO Alpha at multiple electrode sites. These findings highlight sport-specific cortical activation patterns linked to visual attention among athletes. Understanding these neural adaptations could refine training methods and enhance performance outcomes in sports.

Inter-individual variability in neural response to low doses of LSD

The repeated use of small doses of psychedelics (also referred to as "microdosing") to facilitate benefits in mental health, cognition, and mood is a trending practice. Placebo-controlled studies however have largely failed to demonstrate strong benefits, possibly because of large inter-individual response variability. The current study tested the hypothesis that effects of low doses of LSD on arousal, attention and memory depend on an individual's cognitive state at baseline. Healthy participants (N = 53) were randomly assigned to receive repeated doses of LSD (15 mcg) or placebo on 4 occasions divided over 2 weeks. Each treatment condition also consisted of a baseline and a 1-week follow-up visit. Neurophysiological measures of arousal (resting state EEG), pre-attentive processing (auditory oddball task), and perceptual learning and memory (visual long-term potentiation (LTP) paradigm) were assessed at baseline, dosing session 1 and 4, and follow-up. LSD produced stimulatory effects as reflected by a reduction in resting state EEG delta, theta, and alpha power, and enhanced pre-attentive processing during the acute dosing sessions. LSD also blunted the induction of LTP on dosing session 4. Stimulatory effects of LSD were strongest in individuals with low arousal and attention at baseline, while inhibitory effects were strongest in high memory performers at baseline. Decrements in delta EEG power and enhanced pre-attentive processing in the LSD treatment condition were still present during the 1-week follow-up. The current study demonstrates across three cognitive domains, that acute responses to low doses of LSD depend on the baseline state and provides some support for LSD induced neuroadaptations that sustain beyond treatment.

Using caffeine as a chemical means to induce flow states

Flow is an intrinsically rewarding state characterised by positive affect and total task absorption. Because cognitive and physical performance are optimal in flow, chemical means to facilitate this state are appealing. Caffeine, a non-selective adenosine receptor antagonist, has been emphasized as a potential flow-inducer. Thus, we review the psychological and biological effects of caffeine that, conceptually, enhance flow. Caffeine may facilitate flow through various effects, including: i) upregulation of dopamine D1/D2 receptor affinity in reward-associated brain areas, leading to greater energetic arousal and 'wanting'; ii) protection of dopaminergic neurons; iii) increases in norepinephrine release and alertness, which offset sleep-deprivation and hypoarousal; iv) heightening of parasympathetic high frequency heart rate variability, resulting in improved cortical stress appraisal, v) modification of striatal endocannabinoid-CB1 receptor-signalling, leading to enhanced stress tolerance; and vi) changes in brain network activity in favour of executive function and flow. We also discuss the application of caffeine to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and caveats. We hope to inspire studies assessing the use of caffeine to induce flow.

Hemispheric synchronization patterns linked with shooting performance in archers

Sustainable attention, effective visual-spatial perception, and motor control skills are considered highly important for achieving superior athletic performance. The aim of the current study was to investigate hemispheric synchronization patterns of brain electrical activation related to successful and unsuccessful shots of archers using electroencephalography (EEG). This study involved 16 elite archers, each shooting 36 arrows. The 10 shots closest to the target's center were successful, while the 10 farthest shots were unsuccessful. The transformed EEG data, obtained through surface Laplacian filtering, were divided into 5 sub-bands (theta, alpha1, alpha2, beta1, beta2) by calculating the alpha peak frequencies. The synchronization values of the electrode pairs were calculated using the Phase Locking Value (PLV) method. To compare the EEG data for successful and unsuccessful shots in all frequency bands, the linear mixed models were fitted. Perceived fatigue levels were quantified using a visual analog scale (VAS). Spearman's correlation analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between fatigue and shooting performance. The results showed significantly higher coupling strength for C3-O1, C4-O2, O1-O2, F3-F4, C4-T8, T7-O2, F4-C4, C3-O2 and F4-T8 pairs during successful shooting. Moreover, the coupling strengths for F3-O2, F4-T7, C3-C4, C3-T8, T7-T8, C4-O1, F3-T8, and F4-O2 were significantly higher in unsuccessful shooting. The current findings revealed differences in the synchronization patterns associated with shooting performance. It is observed that visual-motor performance is correlated with an increase in cortical synchronization values during successful shots. These findings have the potential to serve as a theoretical reference that contributes to superior performance.

Dreaming while awake: The beneficial effects of yoga Nidra on mental and physical recovery in two elite karate athletes

Yoga Nidra (YN) naturally stimulates a hypnagogic state wherein an individual is physiologically asleep yet maintains a certain awareness to follow a guide's instructions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of this aware sleep state on recovery-stress balance in two elite karate athletes adopting an idiosyncratic and multimodal approach. One male and one female athlete underwent a YN intervention. Before intervention, after intervention and three weeks later, recovery-stress balance specific scales, perceived stress, cognitive and somatic anxiety, subjective and objective sleep quality, and individual alpha peak frequency (iAPF) values were assessed. Perceived quality of recovery was continuously monitored for three months including the period of the investigation. Feelings and arousal levels before and after each YN session were also examined. Our results showed a YN general positive effect; however, the intervention had higher sport specific effects in the male compared to the female athlete. On the other hand, in the female athlete, YN seems to have effects both from an emotional and physical point of view. We also noted the intertwined relationship among interoception, perceived stress and YN effects. Also, findings suggest that iAPF modulation reflected improved recovery skills or a better control of stressful situations, while the acute effects on arousal levels were expression of anxiety or energy reduction. Overall, YN improved both the perceived quality of recovery and sleep quality, shedding light on the importance of YN for recovery-stress balance enhancement in the sport context.

Neuroimaging Approach: Effects of Hot and Cold Germinated Wheat Beverages on Electroencephalographic (EEG) Activity of the Human Brain

Neuroimaging studies using electroencephalography (EEG) have been crucial in uncovering brain activity in sensory perception, emotion regulation, and decision-making. Despite tea's global popularity, its temperature-related neural basis remains underexplored. This study investigated the effect of hot and cold germinated wheat beverages (HB and CB) in changes of brain waves using EEG. Four distinct approaches and topographical assessments were performed to gain deeper insights into the impact of EEG signals in the human brain. The four approaches showed different impacts of HB and CB intake, as all EEG spectral powers increased after drinking HB and decreased after consumption of CB. Significant increases in delta and theta waves were observed as a result of drinking HB, but significant decreases in alpha and beta waves were observed after drinking CB. The topographic maps illustrate the significant effects of HB more prominently than those of CB, displaying greater changes in delta, theta, and beta. These findings suggest the intake of HB is probably related to relaxation, calmness, mindfulness and concentration, while the intake of CB is related to alertness, attention, and working memory. Ultimately, the neuroscientific approaches provided in this study could advance consumer-based research on beverage consumption.

Single Dose of an Energy Dietary Supplement with a Small Amount of Caffeine Prevents an Increase of a Low Frequency Resting State EEG in Possible Mental Fatigue

Due to the increasing needs to enhance our cognitive performance, and decrease fatigue with increasing number of tasks in our everyday life, it's interesting to study whether a small amount of active substance present in dietary supplements, is enough to impact cognition. We investigated an acute effect of an energy dietary supplement containing low amount of caffeine (55 mg) and other stimulatory ingredients by means of a resting state EEG in a double blind, placebo controlled study (N = 47, 27 women). The use of a nonparametric cluster-based permutation analysis allowed us to observed a significant group × block interaction effect after 90 minutes post-ingestion (P = 0.022 cluster corrected) in the 'eyes closed' condition, i.e. an increase in normalized rsEEG power in the placebo group, which was abolished in the study group. This difference corresponded to a broad spatio-spectral cluster between around 6.5 Hz and 10.5 Hz (i.e. high theta and low alpha band) maximal over centro-temporo-parieto-occipital scalp areas. Similar trend but without significant effect was found in the 'eyes open' condition. Our results suggest that low caffeine content dietary supplementation acts as a reversal of the fatigue-related brain activity in the neural networks active in the resting state. These findings not only may help to clarify previous nonconclusive findings, but more importantly, show that an ingestion of caffeinated stimulants before neurocognitive examinations, both in research and diagnostics, should be taken into account, as they may influence cognition, even in small doses and when the effects are absent in the behavioral measures.

Cardiorespiratory, Metabolic, and Performance Changes from the Effects of Creatine and Caffeine Supplementations in Glucose-Electrolyte-Based Sports Drinks: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

The purpose of this study is to investigate the additive effects of creatine and caffeine on changes in the cardiorespiratory system, metabolism, and performance of soccer players. Seventeen male soccer players randomly ingested three sports drinks comprising the following: glucose−electrolyte-based (Drink 1, control; D1), glucose−electrolyte-based drink + 5 g creatine (Drink 2; D2), and glucose−electrolyte-based drink + 5 g creatine + 35 mg caffeine (Drink 3; D3) during a 15 min recovery period after the modified Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test (LIST) on a standard outdoor soccer field. Then, a 20-m repeated intermittent sprinting activity was performed. The results showed no significant differences in cardiorespiratory and gas exchange variables. The non-significant levels of blood glucose concentrations among drinks with higher blood lactate concentrations were detected in parallel with increased heart rate during intermittent sprinting as a result of exercise intensities. Significantly longer sprinting time was found in D3 than D1 (p < 0.05), with no significant differences between D2 and D3. From this study, we conclude that the additive effect of caffeine−creatine supplements in a glucose−electrolyte drink during the 15 min recovery period enhances repeated 20-m high-intensity running in soccer players with no negative effect on cardiorespiratory functions.