Alcohol Consumption 24h following Eccentric Low Back Muscle Damage on Muscular Performance Recovery in Untrained Individuals

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of alcohol consumption 24 hours following strenuous eccentric back extension exercise on muscular performance recovery in untrained men and women. METHODS: Forty-five non-resistance trained men (n=20) and women (n=25) volunteered for this study (24 ± 7y, 21 - 57y, 74.4 ± 21.7kg, 1.75 ± 0.38m). Initially, maximal voluntary isometric back extension force (MVIF) at 130° of hip flexion (relative) was measured. Participants then performed a set of 25 eccentric back extensions with load equal to 80% of MVIF and over a 25 degree range of motion (130° to 105°) with knees fully extended. After each set, MVIF was re-measured and the eccentric exercise protocol was repeated until MVIF decreased to less than 50% of the initial MVIF. Twenty-four hours later, MVIF testing was repeated and participants then consumed a beverage containing either no alcohol (n=15), a moderate does of alcohol (n= 16, 0.543 g ethanol/kg lean mass), or a high dose of alcohol (n=14, 1.086 g/kg lean mass). MVIF was measured again at 48h and 72h post eccentric exercise. RESULTS: Overall, MVIF was significantly (p <.05) decreased at 24, 48, and 72h following eccentric exercise (619 ± 230 vs. 498 ± 267, 499 ± 285, and 519 ± 282 N); additionally, MVIF was not different between 24, 48, and 72h following exercise. Absolute MVIF and percent change in MVIF was not different between beverage conditions. Although MVIF was different between men and women, there was no interaction effect for gender and beverage condition. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol consumption 24h following heavy eccentric back extension exercise does not alter force recovery within the first 72h after the exercise bout in untrained men and women over the age of 21.