CrossFit 3D Blog

Effects of Alcohol on Exercise

Probably the worst recovery drink in the world...

Most of us at some point in the week, consume, to some degree or other alcohol.  We’ve all probably experienced the negative direct effects of a hangover, but what is it doing to our recovery rates from the [exercise] session prior, and future?

Here’s some results from a study – oh how I wish I’d seen scenario 2.  Reconstruction anyone?…

http://correct-weight-loss.net/2010/01/13/drinking-alcohol-and-exercise/

Here’s a quick summary of the negatives:

http://www.crossfitsouthbay.com/2010/02/alcohol-vs-crossfit/

Follows Freddies ‘Alcohol Chronicles’, quite amusing, here:

http://crossfitoneworld.typepad.com/crossfit_one_world/2010/01/on-december-13th-2010-i-posted-a-list-of-ten-things-that-can-blunt-athletic-performance-alcohol-consumption-was-on-the-lis.html

And finally some more detailed analysis:

http://ajpendo.physiology.org/cgi/content/full/277/2/E268

To cut a long story short, alcohol is probably not the best thing to be having, straight after an epic training session. 

Many associate alcohol  consumption solely with liver functionality, dehydration and weight gain, and don’t really think about the consequences on training efficacy, in particular the undoing of their hard work.

I realise I’m probably teaching most to suck [easter] eggs here with most of the points, but the main point I’m trying to get across is the effect on protein synthesis and decreased muscle growth. It’s a relatively unkown factor that needs to be known!

Happy Easter y’all