Indiana University Athletics
Compliance Question Of The Week
Compliance Question Of The Week
Question: Can a student-athlete test positive for a banned substance after drinking Red Bull - an energy drink, popular on high school and college campuses?
Answer: Yes. The NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports (CSMAS) is on record as opposing the distribution of Red Bull to athletes because it is a nutritional supplement that contains caffeine (a banned substance) and a free-floating amino acid (see attached document for membership services interpretation of 16.5.2.2). The use of Red Bull may result in a positive drug test, depending on the amount ingested. A student-athlete using this product would be held responsible for a positive drug-test resulting from use of this product, and particularly if the intent is to enhance athletic performance. Red Bull is considered an impermissible nutritional supplement for distribution by athletics departments for the reasons stated.
Question: Can a student-athlete test positive for a banned substance after drinking Red Bull - an energy drink, popular on high school and college campuses?
Answer: Yes. The NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports (CSMAS) is on record as opposing the distribution of Red Bull to athletes because it is a nutritional supplement that contains caffeine (a banned substance) and a free-floating amino acid (see attached document for membership services interpretation of 16.5.2.2). The use of Red Bull may result in a positive drug test, depending on the amount ingested. A student-athlete using this product would be held responsible for a positive drug-test resulting from use of this product, and particularly if the intent is to enhance athletic performance. Red Bull is considered an impermissible nutritional supplement for distribution by athletics departments for the reasons stated.