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. 2012 Mar 24;9(1):9.
doi: 10.1186/1550-2783-9-9.

A survey of energy drinks consumption practices among student -athletes in Ghana: lessons for developing health education intervention programmes

Christiana Buxton  1 , John E Hagan
Affiliations

A survey of energy drinks consumption practices among student -athletes in Ghana: lessons for developing health education intervention programmes

Christiana Buxton et al. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. .

Abstract

Background: Globally, young adults and college athletes are primary targets of the marketing campaigns of energy drink companies. Consequently, it is reported that young adults and college athletes consume energy drinks frequently. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of energy drink consumption among student-athletes selected from seven public universities in Ghana. The study assessed the energy drink consumption patterns, types usually consumed, frequency of consumption and reasons why athletes consumed energy drinks.

Methods: A total number of 180 student-athletes gave their consent to participate in the study and completed a questionnaire which was administered during an inter-university sports competition.

Results: Most of the participants (62.2%) reported consuming at least one can of energy drink in a week. A high proportion (53.6%) of the respondents who drink energy drinks indicated that they did so to replenish lost energy after training or a competition. Other reasons given as to why energy drinks were consumed by the study participants included to provide energy and fluids to the body (25.9%), to improve performance (9.8%) and to reduce fatigue (5.4%).

Conclusion: These results suggest the need to plan health education programmes to particularly correct some wrong perceptions that athletes have regarding the benefits of energy drinks and also create awareness among student-athletes about the side effects of excessive intake of energy drinks.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Comparison between Sports Discipline Groups regarding Energy Drinks Intake in the Week before the Study.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Comparison between Sports Groups regarding Frequency of Energy Drinks Intake per Week.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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