Date of Award

Summer 8-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

School of Exercise Science

Committee Director

Patrick Wilson

Committee Member

Leryn Reynolds

Committee Member

Hunter Bennett

Abstract

Previous research has shown that color can influence psychological responses, physiological responses, and exercise performance. These effects have been previously attributed to learned associations or expectations which may influence exercise-related outcomes. This study aimed to investigate whether beverage color influences muscular performance during intermittent isometric handgrip exercise. This randomized, single-blind, deceptive crossover study consisted of 34 physically active adults (21.9±3.1 years) who completed a handgrip endurance test under three conditions: red beverage rinse, clear beverage rinse, and no-rinse. Participants were informed that the study would examine the effects of mouth rinsing two commercially available carbohydrate containing sport drinks on muscular performance. However, both beverages were artificially sweetened with sucralose and identical in composition aside from the addition of red food coloring in one solution. During a single laboratory visit, participants completed informed consent, various background questionnaires, a body composition assessment, handgrip familiarization, and three maximal intermittent handgrip tests. Prior to each handgrip test, participants completed ten 25-mL rinses of the assigned solution over a five-minute period. Each maximal intermittent handgrip test was performed on a digital JAMAR hand dynamometer, consisting of 10 maximal contractions separated by three seconds of rest followed by a 10-minute rest period prior to completing the next condition. After all tests were finished but prior to being debriefed on the true purpose of the study, participants completed a perceived beverage properties questionnaire to measure perceived sweetness and stimulatory properties based on appearance alone. Outcome variables were analyzed using one-way and two-way repeated-measures ANOVA, with paired-samples t-tests to compare perceived sweetness and stimulatory ratings between conditions. Results suggest beverage color did not significantly affect peak force, fatigue index, heart rate, or global RPE. However, participants reported greater arousal ratings during both rinsing conditions compared to the no-rinse condition. Specifically, average arousal was higher during the red (3.7±1.2) and clear (3.6±1.1) beverage rinse conditions than the no-rinse (3.3±1.1). Additionally, the red beverage was perceived as significantly sweeter and more stimulating than the clear beverage (p< 0.001), with large effect sizes (Cohen’s d=1.30 and 1.63, respectively). These findings suggest that beverage color can influence perceptions without enhancing isometric handgrip performance.

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ISBN

9798193214564

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