THE EFFECT OF ENERGY DRINK INGESTION ON 5-KM RUNNING PERFORMANCE IN RECREATIONAL ENDURANCE RUNNERS

摘要

Introduction: The use of pre-exercise energy drinks has become a popular supplementation habit among recreational and competitive athletic populations. It is common for athletes to consume energy drinks prior to athletic competition, yet it is unresolved whether this is an effective strategy to increase performance, especially in short duration high intensity events. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate physiological and perceptual responses to exercise performance of recreational endurance runners after they ingested a commercially available energy drink (Red Bull) containing caffeine, glucose, and Taurine. Methods: Recreational endurance runners (n = 18, 13 men, 5 women, 20.39 ± 3.27 years, 71.25 ± 17.17 kg, 178.00 ± 7.57, 55.94 ± 7.66 VO2max) participated in a double blind, crossover, repeated measures study where they were randomized to supplement with 500 ml of the commercially available energy drink Red Bull and non-caffeinated, sugar-free placebo 60 minutes before completing a 5-km time trial; separated by seven days. Heart rate, RPE (RPE-O; RPE-C; RPE-L), and affect were recorded at rest, 1-hr post ingestion, at 5-minute intervals during the 5-km time trial, and immediately post exercise. A Session RPE and session Affect were obtained 5 minutes following completion of the 5-km time trial. The distance covered at each 5 min interval during the 5-km time trial was recorded. Results: Performance improved with ED compared with placebo (Red Bull: 1,413.2 ± 169.7 s vs. PLA: 1,443.6 ±179.2 s; p = 0.016), but there were no differences in ratings of perceived exertion, affect, session RPE, session affect, or the distance covered at 5 min splits between the two 5-km time trials (p > 0.05). Conclusion: These results demonstrate that consuming a commercially available ED before exercise can improve endurance performance. These results may have application for altering pre-exercise nutritional strategies in athletes and recreational runners.