The Efficacy of a Calamansi-Containing Energy Drink on Running Performance and Recovery in NCAA Division I Middle-Distance Runners: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

This study examined the effects of a non-caffeinated energy drink (ED) that contained calamansi juice, glucose, and taurine on 3-km running performance and recovery. Eleven NCAA Division I middle-distance runners (20.8 ± 1.5 years old) were randomly assigned to consume either the ED or a placebo drink 60 min before 3-km running on a 400-m official track. Performance time and speed were recorded every 500-m interval. Recovery blood lactate concentration (BLC), systolic (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR) were measured at baseline, 60-min after ingesting the drinks, and post-running measurements were performed at 1-min, 5-min, and 10-min. Repeated analysis of variance and paired t-test were applied to examine the effects of time, trials, and their interaction on performance and recovery. Statistical significance was set a priori at p < 0.05. No significant difference was observed in performance time and speed between trials (p < 0.05). No interaction effect was found on performance time, speed, recovery BLC, DBP, and HR (p < 0.05). However, an interaction effect for trial by time was observed on SBP (p = 0.01). Recovery SBP continues to decrease from 5-min to 10-min in the ED trial (∆ = −13.9·mmHg) and slightly increased in the placebo trial (∆ = 1.1·mmHg). This study suggests that acute consumption of a calamansi-containing ED can positively impact the SBP recovery but not running performance. Further studies are needed to examine the acute and chronic effects of this ED on exercise performance and recovery among different populations.

International society of sports nutrition position stand: energy drinks and energy shots

“…Placebo: 358 ± 35 W). [ 141 ] Sünram-Lea et al 2012 81 firefighter trainees (26 ± 10 y, 80.6 ± 17.1 kg) Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study ED containing 40 mg caffeine and 50 g carbohydrates vs. ED with 80 mg caffeine and 10.25 g carbohydrates vs. placebo 75 min prior to exercise testing Handgrip test ↑ Handgrip strength after consumption of ED containing 40 mg caffeine and 50 g carbohydrates [ 148 ] Eckerson et al 2013 17 physically active men (21 ± 1 y, 85.5 ± 9.3 kg) Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study ED (Sugar-free Red Bull®) containing 160 mg caffeine and 2000 mg taurine vs. a caffeine only drink (160 mg) vs. a non-caloric placebo 60 min prior to exercise testing 1RM BP ↔ 1RM BP [ 151 ] Del Coso et al 2013a 16 elite female rugby players (23 ± 2 y, 66 ± 7 kg) Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study ED (Fure®, ProEnergetics: 3 mg∙kg BW −1 caffeine, taurine 2000 mg, sodium bicarbonate 500 mg, L-carnitine 200 mg, and maltodextrin 705 mg) vs. placebo 60 min prior to exercise testing 15s maximal jump test ↑ Power output during jump test [ 169 ] Abien-Vicen et al 2014 16 young basketball players (14.9 ± 0.8 y, 73.4 ± 12.4 kg) Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study ED (Fure®, ProEnergetics: 3 mg∙kg BW −1 caffeine, taurine 2000 mg, sodium bicarbonate 500 mg, L-carnitine 200 mg, and maltodextrin 705 mg) vs. placebo 60 min prior to exercise testing CMVJ test 15s maximal jump test ↑ CMVJ jump height (38.3 ± 4.4 vs. 37.5 ± 4.4 cm) ↑ Jump height in 15s jump test (30.2 ± 3.4 vs. 28.8 ± 3.4 cm). [ 134 ] Del Coso et al 2014 15 male volleyball players (21.8 ± 6.9 y, 66 ± 7 kg) Randomized, do...…”

“…As mentioned above in the section on power production, the research group of Del Coso and colleagues performed a series of investigations examining the ergogenic potential of ED formulations providing 3 mg∙kg BW −1 caffeine on various aspects of sport performance. The researchers recruited a wide variety of athletes, finding that consumption of an ED resulted in a greater total distance covered at a speed greater than 13 km∙h −1 during a simulated soccer match in semiprofessional soccer players [ 135 ], greater running speed during a rugby sevens competition in elite female rugby athletes [ 137 ], increased total distance covered during a simulated competition in elite male rugby athletes [ 169 ] and college-aged female soccer athletes [ 138 ], as well as increased distance covered while running at high intensity during a simulated competition in male field hockey players [ 170 ]. Additionally, the researchers found that ED consumption resulted in a faster high intensity running pace during a tennis match in elite junior tennis players compared to placebo [ 147 ].…”

“…As presented in Table 9 , several investigations have demonstrated the effectiveness of ED/ES to improve sport-specific performance in a variety of athletic contexts. Del Coso and colleagues [ 169 ] administered an energy drink containing 3 mg∙kg BW −1 caffeine to elite rugby players prior to a simulated match and found that athletes who ingested the ED had significantly greater body impacts during the game. These findings were mirrored by a later investigation by the same group [ 208 ], which examined game performance of elite female rugby sevens athletes after ED ingestion.…”