Effects of Energy Drink on Repeated Sprint Performance and Cognitive Function in Athletes

NCT07104188 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: IRB-2021-021
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 12
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Energy drinks are often used by athletes before competitions to enhance their performance. Recent research has pointed out that the performance effects of select ingredients have been studied individually but not in combination with caffeine. Therefore, this study is designed to investigate the effects of caffeine, anserine, and elderberry on cognitive function and repeated sprint performance of athletes during a high-intensity exercise protocol. A double-blind, randomized crossover design will be employed. Three types of supplements will be tested: placebo, caffeine (220 mg), and an energy drink containing 220 mg caffeine, 288 mg anserine, 400 mg elderberry, and 660 mg of a vitamin-mineral mixture. Twelve college athletes will be recruited to complete repeated sprint tests on a cycle ergometer until exhaustion and to undertake a series of cognitive tasks during exercise.

Conditions

Exercise Performance Impairment; Cognitive Function Decline; Fatigue

Keywords

sports supplements; Caffeine; anserine; elderberry; high-intensity exercise

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Repeated Sprint Performance

  Participants completed a repeated sprint test on a cycle ergometer after supplement intake and 30 minutes waiting. The test involved multiple 10-second maximal sprints with 20-second passive recoveries, continuing until fatigue (cadence \< 70 rpm for over 3 seconds). During the test, the resistance was set at 0.8 Nm/kg body weight. Total power output during repeated sprint performance was the primary outcome.

  From second to fourth weeks, 30 minutes after the participants consumed the supplement.

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Squares performance- spatial working memory

  From the fifth -seventh weeks, 30 minutes after the participants consumed the supplement.

• Colour drop performance- executive function

  From the fifth -seventh weeks, 30 minutes after the participants consumed the supplement.

• Schulte grid performance- attention

  From the fifth -seventh weeks, 30 minutes after the participants consumed the supplement.

Study Arms (3)

Placebo Group

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Participants in this group received a placebo supplement that contained no active ingredients.

Dietary Supplement: A non-active placebo supplement.

Caffeine Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this group received a caffeine supplement containing 220 mg of caffeine.

Dietary Supplement: Caffeine

Energy Drink Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group received an energy drink containing 220 mg of caffeine, 1800 mg of anserine extract, and 400 mg of elderberry extract.

Dietary Supplement: Energy Drink

Interventions

A non-active placebo supplement. DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Placebo powder mixed into 100 ml grape juice and 200 ml water, consumed 30 minutes before testing.

Placebo Group

Caffeine DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

220 mg caffeine powder mixed into 100 ml grape juice and 200 ml water, consumed 30 minutes before testing.

Caffeine Group

Energy Drink DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

A supplement containing 220 mg caffeine, 1800 mg anserine extract, and 400 mg elderberry extract, mixed into 100 ml grape juice and 200 ml water, consumed 30 minutes before testing.

Energy Drink Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Healthy adults aged 18-25
• Currently enrolled college student
• Active members of a collegiate wrestling team (college wrestlers)
• Engaged in regular wrestling training
• Willing and able to provide written informed consent
• Agreed to maintain their usual diet and training frequency during the study period

You may not qualify if:

• Individuals with known caffeine sensitivity
• Any existing health condition that may interfere with high-intensity exercise (e.g., cardiovascular, metabolic, or neurological disorders)
• Inability or unwillingness to follow study instructions

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Chien-Wen Hou: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Taipei

Taipei, 111036, Taiwan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Fatigue

Interventions

Caffeine; Energy Drinks

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Xanthines; Alkaloids; Heterocyclic Compounds; Purinones; Purines; Heterocyclic Compounds, 2-Ring; Heterocyclic Compounds, Fused-Ring; Beverages; Diet, Food, and Nutrition; Physiological Phenomena; Food and Beverages

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 1, 2025
• First Posted: August 5, 2025
• Study Start: January 4, 2022
• Primary Completion: May 10, 2022
• Study Completion: June 16, 2022
• Last Updated: August 5, 2025

Record last verified: 2022-06

Locations

TW (1)