The effect of acute caffeine ingestion on coincidence anticipation timing in younger and older adults

Objectives This study compared the effect of acute caffeine ingestion on coincidence timing accuracy in younger and older adults. Methods Thirteen young (aged 18–25 years, age: 20 ± 2 years, 7 females, 5 males) and 13 older (aged 61–77 years, age: 68 ± 6 years, 9 females, 3 males) adults, all who were habitual moderate caffeine consumers undertook measures of coincident anticipation timing performance pre- and post-acute caffeine (3 mg/kg) or placebo ingestion administered in a double blind, randomized fashion. Results Results indicated significant pre-to-post X substance (caffeine vs. placebo) interactions for absolute (P = 0.02, Pη2 = 0.204) and variable error (P = 0.015, Pη2 = 0.221). In both cases, error (absolute or variable) improved pre-to-post ingestion in the caffeine condition but not in the placebo condition. There were no significant differences due to age (younger vs. older adults, P > 0.05) in any of the analyses. Discussion The results of this study suggest that acute caffeine ingestion pos...