Effects Of Pre-workout Energy Drink Supplement On Aerobic Performance In 1.6km Run Test

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of pre-workout energy drink supplement on aerobic performance in 1.6 km run test and other physiological measures for male athletes. METHODs: Nine clinically fit male participants (age: 26.42 ± 3.34 years; height: 172.38 ± 6.36 cm; weight: 74.83 ± 16.35; body fat percentage (BF%): 23.13 ± 9.13%; fat free mass: 53.98 ± 7.14 kg)) participated in this study which adopted a randomized cross-sectional, single-blinded design where participants underwent three separate sessions of trials with a wash-out period of 7 days. Trials included a control trial with no ingestion of drink (ND), experimental trial with ingestion of C4 pre-workout fruit punch flavoured energy drink (C4) or placebo with ingestion of Snapple fruit punch juice (FP). C4 had their drink pre-mixed with the C4 powdered mixture of one serving (approx. 6 g) mixed with 180 ml of water and FP consumed 180 ml of Snapple fruit punch juice. Participants completed an all-out 1.6 km run test on the 400 m track. Heart rate (HR) and OMNI rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded pre- and post-1.6 km run test. RESULTS: Paired t-test results indicated a significant difference between 1.6 km run test timings between ND and C4 (ND: 459.11 ± 48.34 s vs. C4: 440.56 ± 53.16 s, p = 0.002); ND and FP (ND: 459.11 ± 48.34 s vs. FP: 442.22 ± 50.25 s, p = 0.002). No significant difference was observed between FP and C4 1.6 km run test timings (FP: 442.22 ± 50.26 s vs. C4: 440.56 ± 53.16 s, p = 0.519. Significant correlation was found between HR and RPE post-1.6 km run for FP (HR: 168.89 ± 14.00 beats·min-1, RPE: 7.67 ± 1.41, r = 0.224, p = 0.039). No significant differences were found for correlation between BF% and ND 1.6 km run test timings (r = 0.449, p = 0.225); BF% and C4 1.6 km run test timings (r = 0.325, p = 0.394). CONCLUSION: C4 pre-workout energy drink supplement and FP resulted in significant improvement in aerobic performance in 1.6 km run test. Athletes, sports practitioners, and recreational athletes can also consume normal glucose drinks to help enhance their sporting performance. These individuals would need to take into consideration factors such as price, convenience and health concerns when selecting their nutrition supplement.