Effect of an Energy Drink On Muscle and Liver Damage Enzymes, And Cardiovascular Indices in Soccer Players

Abstract

ABSTRACT Despite emerging evidence about the influence of energy drinks on the quality of athletes’ performance, there is little information about their effects on exercise-induced damage markers after long-term activities. This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of hype energy drink (HED) to ameliorate liver and muscle damage enzymes and cardiovascular indices-induced by a soccer match. A total of 22 elite male soccer players (age 20.36 ± 1.91) were recruited. Participants performed two experimental conditions, separated by a 14-day washout period. They consumed 2 × 250 ml of HED or placebo for 5 d before the soccer match, on match day, and for 1-day post-match. Measurements of muscle (CK and LDH), and liver (ALT, AST, and ALP) damage indices, and blood pressure (BP) parameters were taken at baseline, pre-match, post-match, and 24 h post-match. The results showed that the levels of ALT, AST, ALP, CPK, and LDH enzymes significantly decreased in HED condition from pre-match to 24 h post-match, compared with placebo (p < 0.001). Also, consumption of energy drinks reduced systolic, diastolic, and mean BP. In conclusion, elevated serum levels of muscle and liver damage enzymes and higher values of BP indices are improved 24 hours after soccer match following HED ingestion, compared to placebo. Therefore, it seems that consuming HED can lead to faster recovery of muscle and liver damage and improve recovery in soccer players.