The Acute Effects of Caffeine on Reaction Time, Memory Performance, and Reaction Time

ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room

Positive correlations have been noted between caffeine supplementation and physical and cognitive performance, including reaction time and memory performance. Conversely, a negative correlation between caffeine ingestion and fine motor skill performance has been identified. This study was IRB-approved and examined healthy college students (n= 22 participants, ages 18-22) at Ohio Northern University. Participants that reported ingestion of 2100 mg of caffeine weekly or prior adverse reactions to caffeine as determined by a pre-study survey were excluded. The goal of this research was to determine the effect of caffeine on reaction time, fine motor skills, and memory. Reaction time was analyzed via JustPark Reaction Time software and fine motor skill performance tested participants’ correctly typed characters per second as they replicated a pre-typed paragraph. Memory performance was analyzed via active recall matching memory test. The mean and mean percent changes in reaction time, motor skill performance, and memory percent accuracy performance between the caffeine and placebo groups were compared via two-unpaired t-tests with a 95% confidence interval. While caffeine significantly increased typing speed (p = 0.035), the reduction in fine motor skill accuracy due to caffeine ingestion was not significant as it has been demonstrated by others in previous work. Although not significant, it is interesting to note that the caffeinated group showed a mean percentage increase in correctly typed characters per second and memory performance accuracy but decrease in reaction time. In summary, caffeine increased typing speed but had no effect on reaction time, memory performance, and correctly typed characters/second.