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- Title
Effect of a Small Dose of Alcohol on the Endurance Performance of Trained Cyclists.
- Authors
Lecoultre, Virgile; Schutz, Yves
- Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an acute small ethanol (EtOH) dose (0.5 ml EtOH/kg fat-free mass, combined with carbohydrate) in a drink on endurance performance of trained cyclists. Methods: Thirteen well-trained male cyclists took part in this study. A 60-mm cycling endurance performance test (time trial) was performed in a calorimetric chamber after drinking an EtOH (30 ± 1.8 ml) or a non-EtOH control (C) drink. Results: Overall, EtOH induced a significant decrease in the average cycling power output (PO) (EtOH: 233 ± 23 W versus C: 243 ± 24 W, P < 0.01). The time course of mechanical PO showed an early decrease during the EtOH trial as compared to C (P < 0.01). Due to the lower PO, oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production and glucose oxidation were significantly lower (P < 0.05) as compared to C. Relative to PO, heart rate response and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were increased by EtOH as compared to C (P < 0.05). In contrast, EtOH did not influence gross work efficiency, glycaemia and blood lactate concentration. Conclusions: These results show that the acute low dose of EtOH decreased endurance performance. An increase of cardio-vascular strain and psychobiological mechanisms may explain this decrease of endurance performance.
- Subjects
CYCLISTS; ENDURANCE athletes; ALCOHOLISM; ALCOHOL drinking; ALCOHOLISM in sports; AMINO alcohols; ALCOHOL; MEN'S health; HEART rate monitoring; HEALTH risk assessment
- Publication
Alcohol & Alcoholism, 2009, Vol 44, Issue 3, p278
- ISSN
0735-0414
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1093/alcalc/agn108