Increased Static Postural Sway After Energy Drink Consumption

Background \& Purpose: Energy drinks consumption continues to grow since its appearance in the United States in 1997. Available evidence indicates that caffeine, their main ingredient, can alter the central nervous system (CNS). However, it is unknown how energy drinks adjust the CNS postural control mechanism. The purpose of this study was to investigate how energy drinks can affect postural control after sensory perturbations during stance. Methods: 20 healthy adults, (11 males; 9 females) averaging 26.1 years of age, stood on a pressure mat, which measured center of pressure (CoP), anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) postural sways during eight different balance tests (BALT's). BALT's were designed to alter or cancel the systems involved in postural control: visual, vestibular and somatosensory. Subjects were randomly assigned to a caffeine group and an energy drink group. MANOVA analysis was performed for all variables of interest.