•  
  •  
 

THE EFFECT OF ENERGY SHOTS ON HAND STEADINESS AND REACTION TIME

Abstract

Bert H. Jacobson, FACSM, Patricia P. Hughes, Eric Conchola & Garrett Hester

Health and Human Performance Laboratory, Oklahoma State University Stillwater, Oklahoma

Energy drinks (EDs) and energy shots (ES) have become popular because they are purported to promote vitality, energy, and enhanced physical performance. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of a commercial energy shot on hand steadiness and reaction time. METHODS: Following IRB approval, 14 college-aged males and 18 females were tested for hand steadiness by holding a stylus in three descending diameter holes (7.92mm, 4.75mm, 2.77mm) for 20s each with a 30s rest between sets. Frequency of stylus to edge hits were measured and recorded. Reaction time was measured using a computerized program. The task included pressing the mouse button at the instance a light switched from red to green. Five trials of five repetitions were given to each subject. Following pre-testing subjects were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group was given a commercial ES (57 ml) and the control was given a placebo. Following 30 min of inactive resting subjects were tested again. RESULTS: One way ANOVAs indicated that the ES group scored significantly (ppCONCLUSION: It is possible that reaction time improvement could be beneficial in sports that require quick, reflexive movement. However, the potential adverse psychological and physiological effects warrant discretionary use of such products.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS