The Effects of an Energy Drink on Measures of Cognition and Physical Performance

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of an energy drink on measures of cognition and physical performance. Twelve exercise -trained men (n=3) and women (n=9) (mean [+ or -] SD: age 25 [+ or -] 5 years; height 1.66 [+ or -] 0.08 meters; weight 69.4 [+ or -] 12.3 kilograms) volunteered for this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. In a counterbalanced order, they consumed either the energy drink (product: Redline[R] Cognitive Candy, Weston Florida) or a similar tasting placebo drink. Thirty to 45 min post-consumption, they performed the following tests that are part of the NIH Toolbox [R] of cognition measures: Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Test, Dimensional Change Card Sort Test, and Pattern Comparison Processing Speed Test. In addition, each subject underwent the Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT). Lastly, they performed a treadmill run to exhaustion. There were no differences between conditions regarding the treadmill run, PVT (reaction time), the Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Test, and Dimensional Change Card Sort Test. However, Pattern Comparison Processing Speed was better in the energy drink condition (134[+ or -]8) versus the placebo (127 [+ or -] 13) (P = 0.03). Also, the number of false starts in the PVT was less in the energy drink (2.2 [+ or -] 1.6) versus the placebo (4.3 [+ or -] 2.3) (P = 0.03). Thus, the acute consumption of an energy drink improves Pattern Comparison Processing Speed as well as lowers the number of false starts in the PVT.