Dose caffeinated energy drink is a consideration issue for endurance performance.

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Exercise Physiology
• Nutritional Biochemistry

Background:

• Caffeinated energy drinks are popular for enhancing athletic performance.
• Limited research exists on the dose-dependent effects of energy drinks on athletes.
• Understanding these effects is crucial for optimizing athletic supplementation strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of low and high doses of caffeinated energy drinks on triathlete performance.
• To assess the effects on haematological responses and oxidative stress markers.
• To determine if energy drink consumption influences hormonal levels and perceived exertion.

Main Methods:

• A double-blind, randomized, counter-balanced, crossover study involving 12 male triathletes.
• Participants completed sprint triathlon training under three conditions: placebo, low energy drink (Low ED), and high energy drink (High ED).
• Performance, cortisol, testosterone, Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were measured.

Main Results:

• High ED intake significantly decreased exercise performance compared to placebo and Low ED.
• Low ED intake showed a trend towards improved performance (p=0.054).
• No significant differences were found in cortisol, testosterone, or perceived exertion. SOD levels decreased with exercise, being lowest in the High ED group. TBARS were significantly reduced in both Low ED and High ED groups compared to placebo.

Conclusions:

• Caffeinated energy drinks may improve sprint triathlon performance and reduce exercise-induced oxidative stress.
• High doses of caffeinated energy drinks might negatively impact performance.
• Individual responses to energy drink supplementation necessitate personalized approaches to mitigate potential side effects.