Examining Football Players Energy Drink Use and Motivations for Combining Energy Drinks with Alcohol

To investigate the use of energy drinks among NCAA Division I football players and motivations for combining EDs with alcohol. Following IRB approval 41 football players from a large Midwestern NCAA D-I university voluntarily completed the Quick Drink Screen (QDS) quantity-frequency measure for alcohol, combined-use (EDs+alcohol), and ED use without alcohol. To measure motivations for combining EDs with alcohol, participants also completed the Brief Comprehensive Effects of Alcohol and Combined-Use Questionnaires. Nearly half (42.5%) of participants consumed EDs without alcohol and 27.5% used EDs 2 or more days/wk during the previous year. Additionally, 20% reported ED-binge drinking (having 3 or more EDs on one occasion). Among alcohol drinkers (n=33), 39.4% mixed EDs with alcohol and 69% of those combined-users reported ED-binge drinking with alcohol. An ANOVA on age and combined-use indicated older players were significantly more likely to combine EDs with alcohol than younger players F(4,23)=5.006, p=.003.