Caffeinated "Energy Shots" and Distance Running Performance in Trained Runners

Abstract

ABSTRACT CAFFEINATED “ENERGY SHOTS” AND DISTANCE RUNNING PERFORMANCE IN TRAINED RUNNERS by © Matthew Mark Schubert 2011 Master of Arts in Kinesiology California State University, Chico Summer 2011 Researchers have long investigated the effects of caffeine in various forms on exercise and sports performance. An emerging trend in athletics is the consumption of energy drinks. An even newer group of supplements now emerging are “energy shots,” which tend to be small, concentrated energy drinks with similar ingredients but without the sugar. Runners competing in events less than one hour in duration generally avoid or have lack of access to supplements during competition, and fear of gastrointestinal disturbances can lead to an avoidance of supplement use pre-competition. Due to their compact size, availability, price, and convenience, energy shots may prove to be a viable pre-competition supplement for shorter-distance runners. In a small study, four trained male runners completed a three-way randomized, single-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover research design. All participants completed three trials, each with two ounces (59 mL) of a different treatment [placebo, Guayakí Yerba Maté Organic Energy Shot™ (140 mg caffeine), or Red Bull Energy Shot™ (80 mg caffeine)] 45 minutes before exercise and separated by a minimum of one week. Each subject ran a five-kilometer time trial on a motorized treadmill. The results of this study indicated little benefit of energy shot consumption compared with placebo on five-kilometer running performance and minimal changes in assessed physiological and psychological variables. While it appears energy shot ingestion did not improve high-intensity (~96% VO2 max), moderate duration (< 20 minutes) running performance in a small sample, further research with larger sample sizes are needed.