Maximiliano Kammerer
Indeportes Antioquia, Colombia
Title: Effects of energy drink major bioactive compounds on the performance of young adults in fitness and cognitive tests: a randomized controlled trial
Biography
Biography: Maximiliano Kammerer
Abstract
The consumption of beverages containing caffeine and taurine before exercising has been associated with increased physical and psychological performances. It is not clear the effect of every major compound in relation to the whole effect of the beverages and there is a lack in knowledge about their degree of safety for consumption. This study used a double-blind, placebo controlled, randomized, crossover design. Fourteen male soldiers performed different tests to measure their cardiorespiratory fitness, time to exhaustion, strength, power, concentration and memory after drinking 250 ml of one of the following beverages: One with 80 mg caffeine, one with 1000 mg taurine, one with 80 mg caffeine plus 1000 mg taurine, a commercial energy drink (Red Bull®) or a placebo drink. Subjects were caffeine-consumers that avoided caffeine during the day of evaluation. Differences between treatments were assessed. The mean±SD values of VO2max, maximum heart rate, time to exhaustion, right handgrip strength, left handgrip strength, vertical jump, Grid test and Digits test were 61.3±6.2 ml/kg.min, 196±6.8 beats per min, 17±1.2 min, 56.8±6.6 kgf, 53.1±5.9 kgf, 41.1±3.8 cm, 19.9±5.9 observed digits and 10.9±3.1 remembered digits after drinking a placebo drink. Comparisons among the commercial drink, caffeine, taurine, caffeine plus taurine and placebo treatments did not show statistically differences. It can be concluded that the consumption of caffeine (80 mg) and taurine (1000 mg) or their combination does not increase the physical and cognitive ability in young adults during exercise.
