Search resultsA low dose of alcohol does not impact skeletal muscle performance after exercise-induced muscle damage
Title
A low dose of alcohol does not impact skeletal muscle performance after exercise-induced muscle damage
Publication type
Journal Article
Year of Publication
2011
Authors
Journal
European Journal of Applied Physiology
Volume
111
Issue
4
Pagination
725 - 729
Date published
2011
ISBN
14396319 (ISSN)
Keywords
Adult, alcohol, Alcohol Drinking, article, Athletic Performance, clinical trial, controlled clinical trial, controlled study, Cross-Over Studies, crossover procedure, dose response, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, drinking behavior, drug effect, Ethanol, Exercise, human, Humans, Isometric Contraction, male, muscle disease, muscle isometric contraction, Muscle strength, muscle weakness, Muscle, Skeletal, Muscular Diseases, pathology, pathophysiology, physiology, randomized controlled trial, skeletal muscle, Soft tissue injuries, Young Adult
Abstract
Moderate, acute alcohol consumption after eccentric exercise has been shown to magnify the muscular weakness that is typically associated with exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). As it is not known whether this effect is dose-dependent, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a low dose of alcohol on EIMD-related losses in muscular performance. 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 0.5 g of alcohol per kg bodyweight (as vodka and orange juice) or an isocaloric, isovolumetric non-alcoholic beverage. 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 was made before and 36 and 60 h post-exercise. Significant decreases in all measures of muscular performance were observed over time under both conditions (all P < 0.05); however, no difference between treatments was evident at any of the measured time points (all P > 0.05). Therefore, consumption of a low dose of alcohol after damaging exercise appears to have no effect on the loss of force associated with strenuous eccentric exercise.