Effect of alcohol intake on muscle glycogen storage after prolonged exercise.
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 + 1.5 g/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.
Sports Science and Sports Medicine, Australian Institute of Sport, Belconnen Australian Capital Territory 2616. louise.burke@ausport.gov.au
Louise M
LM
Burke
Greg R
GR
Collier
Elizabeth M
EM
Broad
Peter G
PG
Davis
David T
DT
Martin
Andrew J
AJ
Sanigorski
Mark
M
Hargreaves
D000328:Adult; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004032:Diet; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000494:pharmacology; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006003:Glycogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D001786:Blood Glucose; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D007328:Insulin; D014280:Triglycerides; D000431:Ethanol; D006003:Glycogen