title: The effects of acute alcohol consumption on recovery from a simulated rugby match.
abstract: In this study, we investigated the effects of acute post-exercise alcohol consumption on measures of physical performance, creatine kinase, and immunoendocrine function in the 48 h following a rugby game simulation. Ten male senior rugby union players completed a rugby game simulation after which they consumed either 1 g of alcohol per kilogram of body mass or a non-alcoholic control beverage. Agility, 15 m sprint, countermovement jump, and srummaging performance were assessed pre-simulation and 24 and 48 h post-simulation. White blood cell count, testosterone, cortisol, and creatine kinase were measured before the simulation and 30 min, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h after the simulation. One week after the first trial, participants completed the second simulation after which the other beverage was consumed. The acute consumption of alcohol after a rugby game simulation negatively affected countermovement jump performance in the days following the simulation (P = 0.028). No differences between treatments were observed for the other criterion measures made in this study. In conclusion, after 80 min of a simulated rugby game, the consumption of 1 g of alcohol per kg body mass negatively impacts lower body vertical power output. However, performance of tasks requiring repeated maximal muscular effort is not affected.
authors.affiliation: School of Sport and Exercise, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. m.barnes@massey.ac.nz
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Barnes
authors.forename: Toby
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mundel
authors.forename: Stephen R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Stannard
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D005538:Football / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone; D003402:Creatine Kinase; D006854:Hydrocortisone