Fernandez-Campos, C., Moncada-Jiminez, J., Dengo, A. L., & Chaves-Rodriguez, L. (2013). Acute effect of an energy drink on the physical performance of female volleyball athletes. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 45(5), Supplement abstract number 1100.

This study evaluated the effect of a commercially available energy drink on physical performance of professional Costa Rican female volleyball players (N = 19). Ss were measured for grip strength, vertical jump, and Wingate anaerobic power in three different conditions [energy drink, placebo, and no beverage (control)]. For each session, Ss arrived in a fasted state, consumed a standardized breakfast meal, and one hour later completed the three performance measures without having ingested the beverage. After completing the pre-measurements, the athletes drank (except in the control condition) 6 ml/kg of body weight of the energy drink or placebo in a counter-balanced order. Post-measurements were taken 30 minutes after the ingestion of liquids.

There were no significant differences within session and measurement time interactions for each performance test. Grip strength was higher in the energy-drink condition compared to the placebo and control conditions. Irrespective of the beverage ingested, averaged grip strength (all three sessions) increased from pre- to post-testing. The averaged fatigue index, obtained from the anaerobic power test, increased significantly from pre- to post-testing regardless of the testing condition.

Implication. The acute ingestion of an energy drink did not improve physical performance of professional Costa Rican female volleyball players.

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