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.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: September 30, 2009
Accepted:
December 13,
2008
Received in revised form:
December 8,
2008
Received:
July 23,
2008
Identification
Copyright
© 2009 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
