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EFFECT OF SUGAR-FREE RED BULL ENERGY DRINK ON HIGH-INTENSITY RUN TIME-TO-EXHAUSTION IN YOUNG ADULTS. Candow D, Kleisinger A, et al. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 2009;23(4): 1271–1275.

The main purported active ingredient in sugar-free Red BullTM

ANTHROPOMETRIC AND PERFORMANCE COMPARISONS IN PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL PLAYERS. Hoffman J, Vazquez, J et al. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 2009;23(8):2173–2178.

This study compared anthropometric and performance variables in professional

baseball players and examined the relationship between these variables and baseball- specific performance (eg. home-runs, total bases, slugging percentage, stolen bases). During a 2-year period, 343 professional baseball players were assessed for height, weight, body composition, grip strength, vertical jump power, 10-yard sprint speed and agility. The subject population consisted of players on the rosters of one of the minor league affiliates (Rookie, A, AA, AAA) or a major league team (MLB). All testing occurred at the beginning of spring training. Players in Rookie and A were significantly leaner than players in MLB and AAA. These same players had significantly lower lean body masses than those seen among MLB, AAA and AA players. Greater grip strength was seen in MLB and AAA than in Rookie and A. Players in MLB were also faster than players in AA, A, and Rookie. Vertical jump power measures were greater in MLB than AA, A, and Rookie. Regression analysis revealed that performance measures accounted for 25–31% of the variance in baseball-specific power performance. Anthropometric measures failed to add any additional explanation to the variance in these specific performance variables. Results indicated that both anthropometric and performance variables differed between players of different levels of competition in professional baseball. Agility, speed, and lower-body power appeared to provide the greatest predictive power of performance in baseball.

sportEX comment So the Rookies are leaner but the established pros in the big leagues are meaner! Can someone do a similar study in football, rugby or cricket please?

is caffeine, which has

been shown to increase aerobic exercise performance. Active university students (9 men and 8 women) aged 21 ± 4 years and weighing 73.4 ± 3.1 kg with a height of 175.1 ± 3.2 cm participated in a double- blind, crossover, repeated-measures study. They were randomised to supplement with sugar-free Red Bull 2 mg/kg body mass caffeine (approximately 147 mg caffeine; 4 kcal/250 mL) and non-caffeinated, sugar-free placebo of lemon and lime flavoured soft drink, tonic water and lime juice (4 kcal/250 mL) separated by 7 days. Exercise capacity was assessed by a run time-to-exhaustion test at 80% VO2 max

(maximal oxygen

uptake). Perceived exertion was assessed immediately after exercise. Blood lactate was measured before and after exercise. There were no differences in run time-to- exhaustion (Red Bull 12.6 ± 3.8 minutes vs placebo 11.8 ± 3.4 minutes), perceived exertion (Red Bull 17.1 ± 2.0; placebo 16.6 ± 1.8) or blood lactate between the groups.

sportEX comment No wings, then.

EFFECTS OF COMMERCIALLY FORMULATED WATER ON THE HYDRATION STATUS OF DEHYDRATED COLLEGIATE WRESTLERS. Valiente JS, Utter A et al. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 2009;23(8):2210–2216. Twenty-one athletes were recruited to perform a randomised, crossover study comparing the effectiveness of commercially formulated water,

carbohydrate-electrolyte (6% or 60 g/L) or regular bottled water (placebo) in promoting rehydration after a 3% reduction in body mass. Urine specific gravity (Usg

), urine osmolarity (Uosm and Uosm ), plasma osmolarity (Posm , Uosm and Usg ) and plasma volume were

measured pre- and post-dehydration and at one hour after rehydration. Significant interactions were found for Posm

. The Posm returned to baseline levels remained in a lower balance after one hour of rehydration in the trials of the

commercially formulated water and regular bottled water. No significant interactions were found for plasma volume shift.

sportEX comment Commercially formulated water! Thankfully the study found that the stuff

was no more effective in promoting rehydration than either a carbohydrate- electrolyte solution or plain water in this study group.

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sportEX dynamics 2010;23(Jan):4-6