Effect of taurine and caffeine-based energy drinks on sustained and selective attention in a group of 52 young adults between 18 and 22 years of age in the city of Bogotá. Efecto de las bebidas energizantes con base en taurina y cafeína sobre la atención sostenida y selectiva en un grupo de 52 adultos jóvenes entre 18 y 22 años de la ciudad de Bogotá.

Abstract

This research aimed at determining if consuming “energy drinks”, containing caffeine and taurine, result in relevant changes while performing activities that involve selective and sustained attention. The sample group was made up of 52 men and women raging from 18 to 22 years old. A quasi-experimental design was implemented by means of a pre-test and a post-test, and a placebo group.The analysis of the results involved descriptive and correlational statistics based on Fisher’s F-test for variances, and Student’s T-test for two samples. The results show that there are not relevant differences in the performance of activities by the subjects who consumed energy drinks and the placebo group.