Effects of acute Capsaicin analogue intake on athletic performance: a three-level meta-analysis

Capsaicin analogues have been proposed as potential ergogenic aids, but their acute effects on athletic performance remain inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of acute capsaicin analogue intake on exercise performance using a three-level meta-analysis.

PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and the Cochrane Library were searched up to April 1, 2025. Randomized controlled trials examining acute oral capsaicin analogue intake in healthy adults were included. Outcomes were classified into strength, power, muscular endurance, and aerobic capacity. Hedges' g was calculated using a three-level random-effects model.