Search resultsAcute alcohol consumption aggravates the decline in muscle performance following strenuous eccentric exercise
Title
Acute alcohol consumption aggravates the decline in muscle performance following strenuous eccentric exercise
Publication type
Journal Article
Year of Publication
2010
Authors
Journal
Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport
Volume
13
Issue
1
Pagination
189 - 193
Date published
2010
ISBN
14402440 (ISSN)
Keywords
Adult, alcohol consumption, Alcohol Drinking, article, Athletic Performance, Citrus sinensis, concentric muscle contraction, controlled study, creatine kinase, creatine kinase blood level, Cross-Over Studies, dynamometer, eccentric muscle contraction, enzyme activity, Ethanol, exercise recovery, Exercise Test, human, human experiment, Humans, Isometric Contraction, Knee Joint, male, Muscle Contraction, Muscle Fatigue, muscle function, muscle injury, muscle isometric contraction, Muscle Strength Dynamometer, Muscle, Skeletal, normal human, orange juice, Physical Endurance, quadriceps femoris muscle, Questionnaires, Resistance Training, Young Adult
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of acute moderate alcohol intake on muscular performance during recovery from eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage. Eleven healthy males performed 300 maximal eccentric contractions of the quadriceps muscles of one leg on an isokinetic dynamometer. They then consumed a beverage containing 1 g/kg bodyweight ethanol (as vodka and orange juice) (ALC). On another occasion they performed an equivalent bout of eccentric exercise on the contralateral leg after which they consumed an isocaloric quantity of orange juice (OJ). Measurement of maximal isokinetic (concentric and eccentric) and isometric torque produced across the knee, plasma creatine kinase (CK) concentrations and muscle soreness were made before and at 36 and 60 h following each exercise bout. All measures of muscle performance were significantly reduced at 36 and 60 h post-exercise compared to pre-exercise measures (all p < 0.05). The greatest decreases in peak strength were observed at 36 h with losses of 12%, 28% and 19% occurring for OJ isometric, concentric, and eccentric contractions, respectively. However, peak strength loss was significantly greater in ALC with the same performance measures decreasing by 34%, 40% and 34%, respectively. Post-exercise plasma creatine kinase activity and ratings of muscle soreness were not different between conditions (both p > 0.05). These results indicate that consumption of even moderate amounts of alcohol following eccentric-based exercise magnifies the normally observed losses in dynamic and static strength. Therefore, to minimise exercise related losses in muscle function and expedite recovery, participants in sports involving eccentric muscle work should avoid alcohol-containing beverages in the post-event period.