Acute effects of a caffeine-taurine energy drink on repeated sprint performance of American college football players.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to investigate the acute effects of a low-calorie caffeine-taurine energy drink on repeated sprint performance and anaerobic power in NCAA Division I football players.
Results Summary
The energy drink did not significantly improve sprint performance or anaerobic power, but caffeine use by the athletes appeared to influence the drink's effects.
Population
National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I football players (n=20, age 19.7 ± 1.8 yr).
Effective Dosage
Not specified in the abstract.
Duration
Two trials separated by 7 days.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
a low-calorie caffeine-taurine energy drink (AdvoCare Spark) | no change | power | National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I football players | F = 3.84, p = .066 | did not significantly affect | #1 |
a low-calorie caffeine-taurine energy drink (AdvoCare Spark) | no change | sprint time | National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I football players | F = 3.06, p = .097 | did not significantly affect | #2 |
a low-calorie caffeine-taurine energy drink (AdvoCare Spark) | no change | sprint performance | college football players | - | did not improve | #3 |
a low-calorie caffeine-taurine energy drink (AdvoCare Spark) | no change | anaerobic power | college football players | - | did not improve | #4 |
Consumption of energy drinks is common among athletes; however, there is a lack of research on the efficacy of these beverages for short-duration, intense exercise. The purpose of this research was to investigate the acute effects of a low-calorie caffeine-taurine energy drink (AdvoCare Spark) on repeated sprint performance and anaerobic power in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I football players. Twenty football players (age 19.7 ± 1.8 yr, height 184.9 ± 5.3 cm, weight 100.3 ± 21.7 kg) participated in a double-blind, randomized crossover study in which they received the energy drink or an isoenergetic, isovolumetric, non-caffeinated placebo in 2 trials separated by 7 days. The Running Based Anaerobic Sprint Test, consisting of six 35-m sprints with 10 s of rest between sprints, was used to assess anaerobic power. Sprint times were recorded with an automatic electronic timer. The beverage treatment did not significantly affect power (F = 3.84, p = .066) or sprint time (F = 3.06, p = .097). However, there was a significant interaction effect between caffeine use and the beverage for sprint times (F = 4.62, p = .045), as well as for anaerobic power (F = 5.40, p = .032), indicating a confounding effect. In conclusion, a caffeine-taurine energy drink did not improve the sprint performance or anaerobic power of college football players, but the level of caffeine use by the athletes likely influenced the effect of the drink.