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

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Fatigue; Exercise Performance Impairment; Cognitive Function Decline
• Intervention / Treatment: Dietary supplement: A non-active placebo supplement.; Dietary supplement: Caffeine; Dietary supplement: Energy Drink

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 12
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Taiwan
  • Taipei, Taiwan, 111036
    • University of Taipei

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• 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

Exclusion Criteria:

• 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

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Basic Science
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Placebo Comparator: Placebo Group; Participants in this group received a placebo supplement that contained no active ingredients.	Dietary supplement: A non-active placebo supplement.; Placebo powder mixed into 100 ml grape juice and 200 ml water, consumed 30 minutes before testing.
Active Comparator: Caffeine Group; Participants in this group received a caffeine supplement containing 220 mg of caffeine.	Dietary supplement: Caffeine; 220 mg caffeine powder mixed into 100 ml grape juice and 200 ml water, consumed 30 minutes before testing.
Experimental: Energy Drink Group; 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; 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.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
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 Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Squares performance- spatial working memory	The spatial memory task required participants to recall the spatial location of dots presented on a screen. A 6×6 grid was shown. First, some squares were colored for one second, and after they re-turned to normal, we need to press the squares that were previously colored. It would end if participants answered incorrectly. At higher stages, more squares were randomly colored. Reaching higher stages indicates better memory performance.	From the fifth -seventh weeks, 30 minutes after the participants consumed the supplement.
Colour drop performance- executive function	evaluates executive function by asking participants to name the ink color of color-words that are incongruent (e.g., the word "GREEN" printed in blue ink). Incorrect responses end the test; higher scores indicate better executive function.	From the fifth -seventh weeks, 30 minutes after the participants consumed the supplement.
Schulte grid performance- attention	Schulte Grid Test - measures attention by requiring participants to find numbers from 1 to 36 in ascending order on a 6×6 grid as quickly as possible; faster completion indicates better attention.	From the fifth -seventh weeks, 30 minutes after the participants consumed the supplement.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Chien-Wen Hou

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 4, 2022
• Primary Completion (Actual): May 10, 2022
• Study Completion (Actual): June 16, 2022

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 1, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 3, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): August 5, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): August 5, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 3, 2025
• Last Verified: June 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Caffeine; anserine; elderberry; sports supplements; high-intensity exercise
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Fatigue; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; Enzyme Inhibitors; Neurotransmitter Agents; Purinergic Antagonists; Purinergic Agents; Central Nervous System Stimulants; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; Purinergic P1 Receptor Antagonists; Caffeine
• Other Study ID Numbers: IRB-2021-021

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No