The Influence of Red Bull Energy Drink on the Speed, Strength and Rebound Performance of Female Volleyball Players at the Performance Level

Participants The first league female volleyball players of team VK Madeta České Budějovice were tested. Participants understood and agreed to the conditions of testing. The research group consisted of 15 female volleyball players aged 18-26 years, who train 3 times a week and play matches almost every weekend, always on Fridays and Saturdays. All tested players completed all measurements and had no long breaks in the training process. According to the posts, 5 outside hitters, 4 blockers, 4 liberos and 2 setters. 3 players were left-handed and 12 were right-handed were tested. The average age was 21.3 ± 2.4 years, height 172.6 ± 5.8 cm, weight 70.2 ± 7.9 kg, BMI 23.6 ± 2.5 kg/m2, amount of fat 24.9 ± 5.6% and the amount of muscle mass 41.9 ± 3.2%. Somatic parameters from the first measurement were used to characterize the ensemble. The resulting values from the second measurement were identical and are therefore not included in the article. The participants underwent testing in the Laboratory of Load Diagnostics at Department of Sport Studies at the University of South Bohemia in the middle of the volleyball game season. Participants were healthy individuals with no known disability or injury and where in the full training process.

Ethical approval

The research was carried out with the consent of the Ethics Committee, Faculty of Education, University of South Bohemia, Ref. No.: 032//2023. All procedures performed in the study were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional research committee.

Measures, design and procedures

This is a retrospective study. The tested substance, namely a Red Bull brand energy drink and a placebo were provided during the testing. In the preparatory phase of the experiment, the placebo was prepared by mixing it on our own based on an inspiration from a similar testing in the USA, so that the taste and consistency of the drink resembled the Red Bull energy drink as much as possible. The recipe itself contained Schweppes Ginger Ale sparkling drink, granulated lemon tea and lemon-flavored beverage concentrate. The amount of both drinks served was determined individually depending on the weight of each of the tested players.