Post-exercise alcohol ingestion exacerbates eccentric-exercise induced losses in performance

Abstract

The effect of acute alcohol intake on muscular performance in both the exercising and non-exercising legs in the days following strenuous eccentric exercise was investigated to ascertain whether an interaction between post-exercise alcohol use and muscle damage causes an increase in damage-related weakness. Ten healthy males performed 300 maximal eccentric contractions of the quadriceps muscles of one leg on an isokinetic dynamometer. They then consumed either a beverage containing 1 g of ethanol per kg bodyweight ethanol (as vodka and orange juice; ALC) or a non-alcoholic beverage (OJ). At least 2 weeks later they performed an equivalent bout of eccentric exercise on the contralateral leg after which they consumed the other beverage. Measurement of peak and average peak isokinetic (concentric and eccentric) and isometric torque produced by the quadriceps of both exercising and non-exercising legs was made before and 36 and 60 h post-exercise. Greatest decreases in exercising leg performance were observed at 36 h with losses of 28.7, 31.9 and 25.9% occurring for OJ average peak isometric, concentric, and eccentric torques, respectively. However, average peak torque loss was significantly greater in ALC with the same performance measures decreasing by 40.9, 42.8 and 44.8% (all p < 0.05). Performance of the non-exercising leg did not change significantly under either treatment. Therefore, consumption of moderate amounts of alcohol after damaging exercise magnifies the loss of force associated with strenuous eccentric exercise. This weakness appears to be due to an interaction between muscle damage and alcohol rather than the systemic effects of acute alcohol consumption.

Exercise capacity is not impaired after acute alcohol ingestion

“…However, it is acknowledged that we have not evaluated postexercise muscle performance in the presence or absence of alcohol intake, which was shown by Barnes et al to significantly induce a loss of muscle performance. 3,5 Few previous reports investigated the role of alcohol intake in exercise performance. Previous studies showed that even small doses of alcohol intake reduce endurance performance, 19 but no data are available regarding peak exercise performance.…”

“…CPET allows us to evaluate both the physical performance and, indirectly, the biochemical production of energy that is likely influenced by ethanol concentration. [2][3][4][5][6] Additionally, the impact of acute alcohol abuse on cardiac function, evaluated by echocardiography and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) dosage, is unknown. 7 Furthermore, considering that alcohol is usually taken to reduce stress, it is interesting to explore whether there is any objective indicator justifying this theory or if this is merely an unproven excuse to drink alcohol.…”

Physical Activity and Alcohol Use Disorders: What We Know and What We Don’t Know

“…Furthermore, alcohol ingestion can substantially reduce recovery (18,19) and alter endocrine responses (20) from exercise, which likely reduces the desired adaptations from exercise (i.e., training) (21). This is particularly true for the muscles involved in exercise.…”

“…In fact, prior exercise can augment, and in some cases is required for, some of the negative physiological effects of alcohol (18,19). Furthermore, alcohol ingestion can substantially reduce recovery (18,19) and alter endocrine responses (20) from exercise, which likely reduces the desired adaptations from exercise (i.e., training) (21).…”

“…Recently, several studies have found that acute moderateto high-dose ethanol ingestion (1 g ethanolÁkg À1 body mass) can disrupt muscle recovery from resistance (weight) exercise (18,19) and that this acute negative effect of alcohol was not present when no exercise preceded the alcohol ingestion. The cause of this disruption of muscle recovery has not yet been fully elucidated, although decreased neural drive and endocrine disruption (21,22) appear to contribute.…”