Alcohol
Burke, L. M., G. R. Collier, E. M. Broad, P. G. Davis, D. T. Martin, A. J. Sanigorski, and M. Hargreaves. Effect of alcohol intake on muscle glycogen storage after prolonged exercise. Journal of Applied Physiology 95:983-990, 2003.
Burke, L. M., and R. J. Maughan. Alcohol in sport. In: The Encyclopaedia of Sports Medicine. Vol VII: Nutrition in Sport, edited by R. J. Maughan. Oxford: Blackwell Science, 2000, p. 405-416.
Burke L. M., G. R. Collier, E. M. Broad, P. G. Davis, D. T. Martin, A. J. Sanigorski, and M. Hargreaves. Effect of alcohol intake on muscle glycogen storage after prolonged exercise. Journal of Applied Physiology 95:983-990, 2003.
We studied the effects of alcohol intake on postexercise muscle glycogen restoration with samples from vastus lateralis being collected immediately after glycogen-depleting cycling and after a set recovery period. Six well-trained cyclists undertook a study of 8-h recovery (2 meals), and another nine cyclists undertook a separate 24-h protocol (4 meals). In each study, subjects completed three trials in crossover order: control (C) diet [meals providing carbohydrate (CHO) of 1.75 g/kg]; alcohol-displacement (A) diet (1.5 g/kg alcohol displacing CHO energy from (C) and alcohol + CHO (AC) diet (C + 1.5g/kg alcohol). Alcohol intake reduced postmeal glycemia especially in A trial and 24-h study, although insulin responses were maintained. Alcohol intake increased serum triglycerides, particularly in the 24-h study and AC trial. Glycogen storage was decreased in A diets compared with C at 8 h (24.4 ± 7 vs. 44.6 ± 6 mmol/kg wet wt, means ± SE, P < 0.05) and 24 h (68 ± 5 vs. 82 ± 5 mmol/kg wet wt, P < 0.05). There was a trend to reduced glycogen storage with AC in 8 h (36.2 ± 8 mmol/kg wet wt, P = 0.1) but no difference in 24 h (85 ± 9 mmol/kg wet wt). We conclude that 1 ) the direct effect of alcohol on postexercise glycogen synthesis is unclear, and 2 ) the main effect of alcohol intake is indirect, by displacing CHO intake from optimal recovery nutrition practices.
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Burke, L. M., and R. J. Maughan. Alcohol in sport. In: The Encyclopaedia of Sports Medicine. Vol VII: Nutrition in Sport, edited by R. J. Maughan. Oxford: Blackwell Science, 2000, p. 405-416.
Alcohol is strongly linked with modern sport. The alcohol intakes and drinking patterns of athletes are not well studied; however, it appears that some athletes undertake binge drinking practices, often associated with postcompetition socializing. There is no evidence that alcohol improves sport performance; in fact there is evidence that intake during or immediately before exercise, or that large amounts consumed the night before exercise may actually impair performance. There are considerable differences in the individual responses to alcohol intake. It is likely that recovery after exercise is also impaired; but particularly by the failure of the intoxicated athlete to follow guidelines for optimum recovery. Athletes are not immune to alcohol-related problems, including the greatly increased risk of motor vehicle accidents following excess alcohol intake. Not only should athletes be targeted for education about sensible drinking practices, but they might be used as spokespeople for community education messages. Athletes are admired in the community and may be effective educators in this area. Alcohol is consumed by the vast majority of adults around the world, and merits education messages about how it might be used to enhance lifestyle rather than detract from health and performance. [conclusion]
