OK all, this is the start of the ALCOHOL thread, as requested by Paracowboy. The reason for this thread, was some of the confusion that surrounded the effects of alcohol on the body (yes, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know the obvious, but this will explain exactly why). I must note that it was interesting to research this topic. I learned a lot of new information during my course of research, that I did not post here, so it was beneficial to me in a multitude of ways. Full credit is given to the sources below where not noted. As I’m sure none of you are going to penalize me for academic dishonesty as I am trying to do everyone a favour here, I will disregard the proper paper format. If anyone has a problem PM me and I will make it proper (If only I had an extra hour every day!).Without further a due:
A common manifestation of alcoholism is the degeneration, or wasting away, of skeletal muscle. The condition, known as alcoholic myopathy, affects up to two-thirds of those who excessively consume alcohol; moreover, women appear to be particularly susceptible. The dominant features of this disorder are cramps, impaired muscle strength, and reduced whole body lean tissue mass, all of which are accompanied by reductions in the relative amounts of specific contractile proteins within the muscle itself.
Although there is also some evidence to suggest that malnutrition exacerbates the effects of alcohol on muscle, the mechanisms responsible for myopathy remain elusive. Some studies suggest that acetaldehyde (a toxic intermediate compound formed by the action of alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme during the metabolism of alcohol), rather than alcohol, is the principal pathogenic perturbant.
Alcohol acutely increases c-myc mRNA in skeletal muscle, possibly reflecting a preapoptotic effect, a compensatory stimulus to induce hypertrophy to counteract the catabolic effects of alcohol, or even a nonspecific cellular stress response to alcohol and/or acetaldehyde. Contrary to expectations, neither p53 nor Bcl-2 mRNA levels were affected by alcohol, even in the presence of cyanamide predosing or starvation. These data are important in increasing our knowledge of the damaging effect alcohol has, for both males and females, on a common muscle.
The alcohol in beer and other spirits impedes your muscles' storage of glycogen, the carbohydrate in the alcohol. That means fewer energy stores, which leads to weakened performance the next day. Also, alcohol can dehydrate your body. The combined effect of low energy and dehydrated cells leaves you feeling tired before your physical activity. And that could set the stage for a crash.
It can be postulated that because athletes have learned that alcohol use is detrimental to sports performance, elite athletes avoid its use during training and competition. There is considerable scientific evidence to support this. In a comprehensive analysis of scientific data, the American College of Sports Medicine came to the following conclusions:
• Acute ingestion of alcohol has a deleterious effect on many psychomotor skills.
• Alcohol ingestion does not improve muscular work capacity and may decrease performance levels.
• Alcohol consumption can impair temperature regulation during prolonged exercise in a cold environment.
• Alcohol consumption does not improve measurable physiological variables of sports performance, such as VO2max., respiratory variables, and cardiac parameters.
More recent studies have also shown that alcohol ingestion on the day prior to a sports event can decrease sports performance, in particular endurance performance. Finally, it is noteworthy that a large percentage of fatal accidents in recreational sports activities are linked to the excessive consumption of alcohol. This is particularly true of the aquatic sports. Despite the evidence that alcohol is not the athlete’s friend, athletes should follow practical guidelines if they wish to consume alcohol and still compete at a high level:
• Do not consume alcohol just prior to a sports event.
• If alcohol is consumed 24 hours before an event, make sure that consumption is moderate and that the body is well rehydrated before sleep.
• After an event, rehydrate with a carbohydrate-based drink before consuming any alcohol.
• Do not consume any alcohol before aquatic events.
Works Cited:
Isometric Muscle Strength in Alcoholic and Nonalcoholic Liver-Transplantation Candidates. By: Panzak, George; Tarter, Ralph; Murali, Srinivas; Switala, JoAnn; Lu, Sandra; Maher, Brion; Van Thiel, David H.. American Journal of Drug & Alcohol Abuse, 1998, Vol. 24 Issue 3, p499-512, 14p, 6 charts, 2bw; (AN 1062830)
Family Problems and Sports Performance. By: Ritvo, Eva C.; Glick, Ira D.. Physician & Sportsmedicine, Sep2005, Vol. 33 Issue 9, p37-41, 5p, 1 chart, 1c; (AN 18373919)
"Social Drugs" and Sports Performance: Alcohol, Caffeine, and Nicotine. By: Schwellnus, Martin P.; Derman, Wayne A.. International SportMed Journal, Jan2000, Vol. 1 Issue 1, p1, 3p; (AN 7232641)
One Beer or Ten? By: Meyer, Nanna L.. Skiing, Nov2006, Vol. 59 Issue 3, p195-195, 1/5p; (AN 22765611)
HTML Full Text
December 2003 edition of the American Journal of Physiology – Endocrinology and Metabolism.
;D.
