Effect of the Energy Drink “Red Bull” on the Amateur Football Players’ Aerobic and Anaerobic Performances

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate effect of 250 ml of Red Bull energy drink consumed 60 minutes before an intensive exercise on aerobic and anaerobic performances of amateur football players (subjects were PE students).

In this study, a crossover research design was applied. Test subjects were divided into two groups, namely A and B. In the first experiment, group A was provided Red Bull, and group B was given apple juice (placebo) and tests were carried out. In the second experiment, the same tests were carried out by interchanging the drinks provided to the groups previously. The aerobic performance assesment was performed with the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test (Level 1) while the anaerobic performance assesment was carried out with the Wingate test. The differences between the groups were analyzed by Wilcoxon Signed-Ranks Test, and the significance level was accepted as p<0.05.

As a result of the tests applied to Red Bull and Placebo groups; there was seen no significance difference between the maximal VO₂ values of the groups (Red Bull, x̅=49.50±3.14 ml/kg/min; Placebo, x̅=48.81±3.07 ml/kg/min, z=-1.244, p>0.214). Additionally, according to the Wingate test results, no significant difference was found between the Red Bull and Placebo groups. (Peak Power: Red Bull x̅=877.56±164.82 W, Placebo x̅=841.67±162.23 W (z=-1.48, p>0.13), Average Power: Red Bull x̅=616.70±99.17 W, Placebo x̅=603.69±92.05 W (z=-1.59, p>0.11), Time at Peak Power: Red Bull x̅=2.21±0.95 sec, Placebo x̅=1.97±1.00 sec (z=-0.29, p>0.76).

As a result, it was observed that the performances of amateur footballers did not show a significant increase when Red Bull energy drink was consumed one hour before Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test (Level 1) and Wingate Anaerobic Power Test. Considering unconscious consumption of caffeinated drinks and its possible side effects, it is not recommended for athletes who are not used to it.