Abstract

Objectives: Pre-exercise energy drinks are commonly used in the belief they enhance physical and mental performance during exercise. The present study examined the effect of energy drink ingestion on pain perception, readiness to invest effort, and cognitive performance during submaximal cycling. Design: A (2x2) within-participants double-blind cross-over design was employed, wherein the first factor represented experimental stage (pre- and post-exercise) and the second factor represents drug condition (energy drink and placebo solution). Methods: Eight moderately trained participants (6 males, 2 females, mean age=25+/- 4.1 years) completed two 60-minute bouts of cycling at 60 per cent VO2 following consumption of a caffeinated energy drink (Quick Energy™) or a placebo solution. These sessions were separated by a minimum of 72 hours. Pre- and post-exercise, participants completed a battery of cognitive tests (the Defined Intensity Stressor Simulation: DISS) and a measures of readiness to invest effort (RTIE). Leg pain perception and heart rate were assessed every 10-minutes during each exercise bout. Results: A significant drug by experimental stage interaction for the DISS (p=0.05) revealed that cognitive performance improved significantly more post-exercise in the energy drink condition compared to the placebo. RTIE was significant higher (p=0.04) and leg pain dampened (p=0.05) in the energy drink condition. Conclusions: Consumption of the caffeinated energy drink Quick Energy™ results in greater readiness to invest effort, lower ratings of leg pain, and improved cognitive performance during one hour submaximal cycling.