Citation

Bliss TJ, Depperschmidt CL. Coll. Aviat. Rev. Int. 2011; 29(2): 1-12.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, University Aviation Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article reports on a study of collegiate aviation flight students regarding their consumption of energy drinks and their perceptions of side effects and behavioral patterns after consuming energy drinks. The study include 30 undergraduate aviation students at Oklahoma State University who were enrolled in a flight course for academic credit. The research instrument for this study was developed to identify demographic information related to collegiate flight students and investigate their perceptions related to energy drink consumption. The instrument consisted of three parts: demographic information, Likert-scale statements, and personal comment section. The authors found that 57% of student pilots surveyed consume energy drinks 1-3 times a week. In addition, 56% stated they can only consume one energy drink (16 ounces) without experiencing side effects. A majority (60%) reported they consumed energy drinks the same day they piloted an aircraft; and the same percentage (60%) had observed other student pilots consuming energy drinks the same day they piloted an aircraft. And yet, 67% of the participating flight students agree that energy drinks have a negative effect on collegiate flight students' ability to pilot an aircraft. The authors conclude that this research can help provide a better understanding of collegiate flight students' perceptions of energy drink consumptions and their reasons for energy drink consumption. Additional education programs could then be implemented by aviation departments regarding the risks associated with energy drink consumption, as well as policies that discourage or even eliminate energy drink use among collegiate flight students - particularly on those days that students pilot an aircraft.