Exercise Performance ImpairmentNCT07104188
Effects of Energy Drink on Repeated Sprint Performance and Cognitive Function in Athletes
A study testing Caffeine and Energy Drink in people with Exercise Performance Impairment and Cognitive Function Decline, run by Chien-Wen Hou at 1 site in Taiwan.
Trial summary
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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Any age, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Exercise Performance Impairment, Cognitive Function Decline, Fatigue
- What is being tested?
- Caffeine and Energy Drink
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 12 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTaiwan
- Study dates
- 4 Jan 2022to 16 Jun 2022
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages Any age
- Men only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- 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
Who cannot join
- 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
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
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.
- Being tested
- A non-active placebo supplement., Caffeine, Energy Drink
- Keywords
- sports supplements, Caffeine, anserine, elderberry, high-intensity exercise
- Medical subject headings
- Fatigue
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
A non-active placebo supplement.Dietary supplement
Placebo powder mixed into 100 ml grape juice and 200 ml water, consumed 30 minutes before testing.
CaffeineDietary supplement
220 mg caffeine powder mixed into 100 ml grape juice and 200 ml water, consumed 30 minutes before testing.
Energy DrinkDietary supplement
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.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Placebo Group | Placebo comparator | Participants in this group received a placebo supplement that contained no active ingredients. Receives: Dietary Supplement: A non-active placebo supplement. |
| Caffeine Group | Active comparator | Participants in this group received a caffeine supplement containing 220 mg of caffeine. Receives: Dietary Supplement: Caffeine |
| Energy Drink Group | Experimental | Participants in this group received an energy drink containing 220 mg of caffeine, 1800 mg of anserine extract, and 400 mg of elderberry extract. Receives: Dietary Supplement: Energy Drink |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
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.
Measured: From second to fourth weeks, 30 minutes after the participants consumed the supplement.
Secondary outcomes (3)
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.
Measured: 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.
Measured: 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.
Measured: From the fifth -seventh weeks, 30 minutes after the participants consumed the supplement.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted5 Aug 2025
- Study start4 Jan 2022
- Primary completion10 May 2022
- Study completion16 Jun 2022
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Exercise Performance ImpairmentStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 12 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Chien-Wen Hou
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Chien-Wen Hou, University of Taipei
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07104188
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IRB-2021-021
- Status last verified
- Jun 2022
- First submitted
- 1 Jul 2025
- Last updated
- 5 Aug 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Publications
Liao LA, Pan PC, Hung CH, Li YJ, Wu KT, Wang JP, Hou CW. Effects of energy drinks on repeated sprint performance and cognitive function in athletes. Front Physiol. 2026 May 7;17:1796957. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2026.1796957. eCollection 2026.
PubMed 42180830
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 5 Aug 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Energy Drink on Repeated Sprint Performance and Cognitive Function in Athletes
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07104188
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- IRB-2021-021
- Keywords
- sports supplements, Caffeine, anserine, elderberry, high-intensity exercise
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 12 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Chien-Wen HouUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 4 Jan 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 10 May 2022 (actual)
- Study completion
- 16 Jun 2022 (actual)
- First posted
- 5 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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 design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Placebo Group | Placebo comparator | Dietary Supplement: A non-active placebo supplement.Participants in this group received a placebo supplement that contained no active ingredients. |
| Caffeine Group | Active comparator | Dietary Supplement: CaffeineParticipants in this group received a caffeine supplement containing 220 mg of caffeine. |
| Energy Drink Group | Experimental | Dietary Supplement: Energy DrinkParticipants in this group received an energy drink containing 220 mg of caffeine, 1800 mg of anserine extract, and 400 mg of elderberry extract. |
Who may qualify
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- 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
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- 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
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| A non-active placebo supplement.Placebo powder mixed into 100 ml grape juice and 200 ml water, consumed 30 minutes before testing. | Dietary supplement | Placebo Group |
| Caffeine220 mg caffeine powder mixed into 100 ml grape juice and 200 ml water, consumed 30 minutes before testing. | Dietary supplement | Caffeine Group |
| Energy DrinkA 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. | Dietary supplement | Energy Drink Group |
Primary outcome
Repeated Sprint Performance
Time frame: From second to fourth weeks, 30 minutes after the participants consumed the supplement.
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.
3 secondary outcomes
Squares performance- spatial working memory
Time frame: From the fifth -seventh weeks, 30 minutes after the participants consumed the supplement.
Colour drop performance- executive function
Time frame: From the fifth -seventh weeks, 30 minutes after the participants consumed the supplement.
Schulte grid performance- attention
Time frame: From the fifth -seventh weeks, 30 minutes after the participants consumed the supplement.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 5 Aug 2025.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 42180830Liao LA, Pan PC, Hung CH, Li YJ, Wu KT, Wang JP, Hou CW. Effects of energy drinks on repeated sprint performance and cognitive function in athletes. Front Physiol. 2026 May 7;17:1796957. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2026.1796957. eCollection 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Caffeine and Energy Drink in people with Exercise Performance Impairment and Cognitive Function Decline, run by Chien-Wen Hou at 1 site in Taiwan.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 5 Aug 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Taiwan. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Repeated Sprint Performance (time frame: From second to fourth weeks, 30 minutes after the participants consumed the supplement.). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07104188, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 5 Aug 2025.