The acute effect of an energy drink on the physical and cognitive performance of male athletes
Akutni učinek energetskega napitka na telesne in kognitivne sposobnosti športnikov

english

2005

volume 11, issue 2

Univerza v Ljubljani, Fakulteta za šport

Energy drink consumption by athletes has become increasingly popular. Athletes believe that energy drinks can be used to enhance their performance during training and competition due to their potentially ergogenic ingredients such as carbohydrates, caffeine, sodium and taurine, among others. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the acute ingestion of an energy drink on physical and cognitive variables in a sample of 20 trained-male athletes recruited from a local university. A double-blind study was designed in which the participants ingested on different occasions an energy drink, a placebo beverage or nothing (control). Factorial 3 x 2 repeated measures analysis of variance were used to analyse the dependent variables of strength, power, speed, reaction time, short-term memory and mood states. Results did not indicate any significant changes in the physical and cognitive variables when comparing the energy drink, the placebo and the control condition. However, significant pre-to-post test improvements in strength and power were found regardless of the experimental condition. In conclusion, a commercially-available energy drink did not enhance physical or mental performance within the conditions and design of this study.

13.09.2021