www.eerp.usp.br/rlaeArtigo Original CONSUMPTION OF ENERGY DRINKS AMONG PHYSICAL EDUCATION STUDENTS

This descriptive and cross-sectional study aimed to characterize the pattern of energy drinks consumption in a sample of physical education students through a self-applied questionnaire (socio-demographic data and characterization of consumption). Variables associated with consumption: gender, marital status, attending gym classes, athletic swim practice, and study in the morning. Consumption pattern (n=137): 2.2 % once in their lives, 9.5 % at least once in the last 12 months, 38 % at least once in the last month, 39.4 % six times or more in the last month, 10.9 % 20 times or more in the last month. Justification for consumption: 54 % to improve the taste of alcoholic drinks, 27.7 % to extend their evening leisure periods, 13.9 % to improve sports performance, 9.5 % for stimulation, 8.8 % enjoy the taste, 6.6 % for curiosity and 4.4 % to study. Of those who consumed energy drinks, 87.6 % mixed it with alcohol, and 25.9 % of the students reported they consume more alcohol when it is mixed with energy drinks. Conclusions: the consumption of energy drinks is associated to sports and drinking alcohol. DESCRIPTORS: energy drinks; students; sports EL USO DE BEBIDAS ENERGIZANTES EN ESTUDIANTES DE EDUCACIÓN FÍSICA Objetivo: caracterizar el patrón de uso de energizantes en muestra por conveniencia de estudiantes de educación física. Estudio descriptivo transversal. Instrumento: cuestionario auto aplicable para dato