Abstract
BackgroundTo investigate the effects of a caffeine-containing energy drink on soccer performance during a simulated game. A second purpose was to assess the post-exercise urine caffeine concentration derived from the energy drink intake.Methodology/Principal FindingsNineteen semiprofessional soccer players ingested 630±52 mL of a commercially available energy drink (sugar-free Red Bull®) to provide 3 mg of caffeine per kg of body mass, or a decaffeinated control drink (0 mg/kg). After sixty minutes they performed a 15-s maximal jump test, a repeated sprint test (7×30 m; 30 s of active recovery) and played a simulated soccer game. Individual running distance and speed during the game were measured using global positioning satellite (GPS) devices. In comparison to the control drink, the ingestion of the energy drink increased mean jump height in the jump test (34.7±4.7 v 35.8±5.5 cm; P<0.05), mean running speed during the sprint test (25.6±2.1 v 26.3±1.8 km · h−1; P<0.05) and total distance covered at a speed higher than 13 km · h−1 during the game (1205±289 v 1436±326 m; P<0.05). In addition, the energy drink increased the number of sprints during the whole game (30±10 v 24±8; P<0.05). Post-exercise urine caffeine concentration was higher after the energy drink than after the control drink (4.1±1.0 v 0.1±0.1 µg · mL−1; P<0.05).Conclusions/significanceA caffeine-containing energy drink in a dose equivalent to 3 mg/kg increased the ability to repeatedly sprint and the distance covered at high intensity during a simulated soccer game. In addition, the caffeinated energy drink increased jump height which may represent a meaningful improvement for headers or when players are competing for a ball.
Highlights
Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) is one of the most consumed drugs in sports in our days
There was a main effect for repetitions during the jump test (P,0.05), there were no interactions between beverages and repetitions (P.0.05)
The total power generated during the 15-s jump test was higher with the energy drink than with the control drink (61.867.3 v 59.566.9 kW, P,0.05; effect size (ES) = 0.33)
Summary
Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) is one of the most consumed drugs in sports in our days. Caffeine can be artificially synthesized and included in food and drinks, like the recently created energy drinks. These beverages contain moderate amounts of caffeine 100 mL21) in addition to carbohydrates, taurine, glucoronolactone and B- group vitamins [2] Due to their low cost, accessibility, and the relatively low frequency of deleterious side-effects derived from their consumption, caffeine-containing energy drinks have become the most popular supplement in the sports population, with a prevalence of 73% in American college athletes [3], 75% in Canadian Varsity athletes [4] and 42% in British elite athletes [5]. A second purpose was to assess the post-exercise urine caffeine concentration derived from the energy drink intake
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