title: Ethanol does not delay muscle recovery but decreases testosterone/cortisol ratio.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated the effects of ethanol consumption on recovery from traditional resistance exercise in recreationally trained individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine recreationally trained volunteers (eight males and one female, 26 ± 4 yr, 81 ± 4 kg) conducted four resistance exercise sessions and consumed a low (0.6 (females) and 0.7 (males) g · kg(-1) body mass) or a high dose (1.2 or 1.4 g · kg(-1) body mass) of ethanol 1-2.5 h after exercise on two occasions. The first session was for familiarization with the tests and exercises and was performed without ethanol consumption. As a control trial, alcohol-free drinks were consumed after the exercise session. The sequence of trials, with low and high ethanol doses and alcohol-free drinks (control), was randomized. Maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) (knee extension), electrically stimulated contractions (knee extension), squat jumps, and hand grip strength were assessed 10-15 min and 12 and 24 h after the ethanol/placebo drinks. In addition to a baseline sample, blood was collected 1, 12, and 24 h after the ethanol/placebo drinks. The exercise session comprised 4 × 8 repetition maximum of squats, leg presses, and knee extensions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MVC were reduced by 13%-15% immediately after the exercise sessions (P < 0.01). MVC, electrically stimulated force, and squat jump performance were recovered 24 h after ethanol drinks. MVC was not fully recovered at 24 h in the control trial. Compared with those in the control, cortisol increased and the free testosterone/cortisol ratio were reduced after the high ethanol dose (P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neither a low nor a high dose of ethanol adversely affected recovery of muscle function after resistance exercise in recreationally strength-trained individuals. However, the increased cortisol levels and reduced testosterone/cortisol ratio after the high ethanol dose could translate into long-term negative effects.
authors.affiliation: 1Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Martin, SLOVAKIA; 2Norwegian Olympic Federation, Oslo, NORWAY; and 3Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, NORWAY.
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Haugvad
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Haugvad
authors.forename: Håvard
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hamarsland
authors.forename: Gøran
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Paulsen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000434:Alcoholic Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D007717:Knee / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D055070:Resistance Training; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol; D013739:Testosterone; D006854:Hydrocortisone