Higher relative doses of acute capsaicin supplementation enhance the resistance training performance in trained men

Matheus Dias Mendes; Brena de Oliveira; Marcos Antonio Pereira dos Santos; Fernando Vitor Lima; Bruno Couto; Marcos Daniel Motta Drummond

doi:10.1016/j.jnphys.2026.100024

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Higher relative doses of acute capsaicin supplementation enhance the resistance training performance in trained men

Journal article

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Higher relative doses of acute capsaicin supplementation enhance the resistance training performance in trained men

Matheus Dias Mendes, Brena de Oliveira, Marcos Antonio Pereira dos Santos, Fernando Vitor Lima, Bruno Couto and Marcos Daniel Motta Drummond

The Journal of Nutritional Physiology, Vol.7, pp.1-8

2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnphys.2026.100024

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Abstract

Capsaicin

Performance-enhancing substances

Resistance training

Supplementation

Background Capsaicin supplementation has been proposed as an ergogenic aid, but findings remain inconsistent, partly due to fixed absolute doses. Objective This study aimed to examine the acute effects of capsaicin supplementation at different body-mass-relative doses on strength performance and psychophysiological responses. Methods Nineteen resistance-trained men (23.4 ± 3.2 years) completed a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial. Participants ingested either a low dose of capsaicin (0.15 mg/kg; LCAP), a high dose (0.35 mg/kg; HCAP), or a placebo (PLA), 45 min before performing four sets of back squat exercise. Total volume (TV), movement speed (MS), blood lactate, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were assessed. Results HCAP significantly increased TV compared to LCAP (p = 0.042, d = 0.32) and PLA (p = 0.033, d = 0.44). LCAP did not differ from PLA (p = 1.00). No significant differences were found for MS (p = 0.495), lactate (p = 0.733), or RPE (p = 0.554) among the experimental conditions. Conclusion Acute capsaicin supplementation enhances resistance exercise performance only at higher relative doses (0.35 mg/kg), without altering psychophysiological responses. These findings highlight the importance of individualized, body-mass-relative dosing when applying capsaicin as an ergogenic aid.

Details

Title: Higher relative doses of acute capsaicin supplementation enhance the resistance training performance in trained men
Authors: Matheus Dias Mendes (Corresponding Author) - Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
Brena de Oliveira - Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
Marcos Antonio Pereira dos Santos - Universidade Federal do Piauí
Fernando Vitor Lima - Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
Bruno Couto - University of the Sunshine Coast
Marcos Daniel Motta Drummond - Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
Publication details: The Journal of Nutritional Physiology, Vol.7, pp.1-8
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd
Date published: 2026
DOI: 10.1016/j.jnphys.2026.100024
ISSN: 3050-6247
Copyright note: © 2026 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The Physiological Society. This is an open access article under the CC BY license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ).
Organisation Unit: School of Health - Sports & Exercise Science
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991266494902621
Output Type: Journal article

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