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I’m no fan of energy drinks, in fact I’ve never downed one nor would I let my teenage athlete use the stuff. However, when I came across a paper that seemed to show that energy drinks could improve soccer performance I was intrigued. By how much? Turns out by quite a bit.
The research study looked at 18 women soccer players in various tests of physical performance and gave them an energy drink or a placebo. After 60 min, they performed jump (CMJ) and sprint tests as well as a simulated soccer match (2 × 40 min). While there were modest statistically significant improvements in the jump and sprint, there were substantial differences in the metrics during the simulated soccer match. This included about a 1/3 improvement in the number of sprints and the total distance while running fast (>18 km/hr or 11 mph). While it’s unknown if these performance gains would translate into more goals for the winning team or fewer for the defending one, it would seem like this could be a sizable competitive edge.
Since the main ingredient here is high dose caffeine, what other evidence exists that caffeine helps to improve athletic performance? One recent study did show that it improved reaction time and performance in martial arts. A different study also showed that energy drinks did improve sprint performance during rugby games. On the other hand, another study showed that a Red Bull drink made no difference in weight lifting performance. Finally, a recent study showed that similar drinks didn’t improve timed running results.
The upshot? Energy drinks have gotten a lot of bad press due to misuse by teens and kids. The Paris Hilton set using them to party through the night doesn’t help either. Having said that, if you look at the research, there does seem to be a trend that emerges. On the one hand these drinks don’t seem to be able to make you run much longer or lift heavier weights. However, as suspected, they do seem to improve reaction times and make you generally quicker. As a result, they could provide a competitive edge in sports where sprinting to the ball can make the difference in the outcome.
Chris Centeno, MD is a specialist in regenerative medicine and the new field of Interventional Orthopedics. Centeno pioneered orthopedic stem cell procedures in 2005 and is responsible for a large amount of the published research on stem cell use for orthopedic applications.
Regenerative procedures are commonly used to treat musculoskelatal trauma, overuse injuries, and degenerative issues, including failed surgeries.
Shoulder
Many Shoulder and Rotator Cuff injuries are good candidates for regenerative treatments. Before considering shoulder arthroscopy or shoulder replacement, consider an evaluation of your condition with a regenerative treatment specialist.
Many spine injuries and degenerative conditions are good candidates for regenerative treatments and there are a number of studies showing promising results in treating a wide range of spine problems. Spine surgery should be a last resort for anyone, due to the cascade of negative effects it can have on the areas surrounding the surgery. And epidural steroid injections are problematic due to their long-term negative impact on bone density.
Knees are the target of many common sports injuries. Sadly, they are also the target of a number of surgeries that research has frequently shown to be ineffective or minimally effective. Knee arthritis can also be a common cause for aging athletes to abandon the sports and activities they love. Regenerative procedures can be used to treat a wide range of knee injuries and conditions. They can even be used to reduce pain and delay knee replacement for more severe arthritis.
Many spine injuries and degenerative conditions are good candidates for regenerative treatments and there are a number of studies showing promising results in treating a wide range of spine problems. Spine surgery should be a last resort for anyone, due to the cascade of negative effects it can have on the areas surrounding the surgery. And epidural steroid injections are problematic due to their long-term negative impact on bone density.
Hand and wrist injuries and arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and conditions relating to overuse of the thumb, are good candidates for regenerative treatments. Before considering surgery, consider an evaluation of your condition with a regenerative treatment specialist.
Hand and Wrist Arthritis
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Trigger Finger
Thumb Arthritis (Basal Joint, CMC, Gamer’s Thumb, Texting Thumb)
Hip injuries and degenerative conditions become more common with age. Do to the nature of the joint, it’s not quite as easy to injure as a knee, but it can take a beating and pain often develops over time. Whether a hip condition is acute or degenerative, regenerative procedures can help reduce pain and may help heal injured tissue, without the complications of invasive surgical hip procedures.
Foot and ankle injuries are common in athletes. These injuries can often benefit from non-surgical regenerative treatments. Before considering surgery, consider an evaluation of your condition with a regenerative treatment specialist.
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Providers listed on the Regenexx website are for informational purposes only and are not a recommendation from Regenexx for a specific provider or a guarantee of the outcome of any treatment you receive.
