Efectos de la cafeína sobre el desempeño psicométrico en estudiantes de la Licenciatura en Nutrición

Abstract

Caffeine is the most consumed psychostimulant in the world. It decreases the feeling of fatigue and sensitivity to pain; it also stimulates motor activity and generates a greater feeling of energy and an increase in the ability to concentrate. Objective: To evaluate the effect of caffeine on psychometric performance in 14 university students. Methods: The Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney test was used; the Terman-Merril test was used twice (pre/posttest). For the second measurement, two study groups were formed, each consisting of seven sujects randomly. The first group was given 150 mg. of caffeine and the second 200 mg. Results: After the intake of caffeine, there is a significant improvement in some parameters of the Terman-Merril test, such as vocabulary (p = 0.029), synthesis (p = 0.004), and abstraction (p = 0.004). It was found that a dose of 200 mg of caffeine has a greater effect on the planning capacity (p = 0.049) compared to the dose of 150 mg. Conclusions: Caffeine (200 mg.) significantly improves some of the psychometric aspects of the TermanMerril test. LUXMÉDICA AÑO 15, NÚMERO 44, MAYO-AGOSTO 2020