Effect of acute postexercise ethanol intoxication on the neuroendocrine response to resistance exercise

Abstract

don, Thomas Incledon, and Howard G. Knuttgen. Effect of acute postexercise ethanol intoxication on the neuroendocrine response to resistance exercise. J. Appl. Physiol. 88: 165-172, 2000.-This investigation was conducted to determine the effect of postexercise ethanol intoxication (21.97 Ϯ 1.09 mmol/l blood) on the response of selected aspects of the neuroendocrine system to a resistance exercise (Ex) session. Nine resistance-trained men (25.0 Ϯ 1.4 yr, 179.4 Ϯ 3.4 cm, 79.7 Ϯ 3.3 kg) were used to compare three 3-day treatments: control, Ex, and ethanol after exercise (ExEt). Blood was collected serially from an antecubital vein before exercise, immediately after exercise, and for pooled analysis at 20-40 (2 samples), 60-120 (4 samples), and 140-300 (9 samples) min after exercise on day 1 and in the morning (2 samples each) on days 2 and 3. Ethanol did not increase circulating epinephrine, norepinephrine, or cortisol concentration (Cort) above Ex elevations. At 60-120 min, only ExEt Cort was greater than control Cort. Concentrations of testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and corticotropin were not affected by either treatment. It is concluded that, although this blood ethanol concentration is insufficient to acutely increase Cort above that caused by Ex alone, it appears that ethanol may have a prolonged effect beyond the Ex response. This blood ethanol concentration does not further stimulate the sympathoadrenal system during the postexercise response.anabolic; catabolic; alcohol; lactate; stress response THE EFFECTS OF ETHANOL vary and can depend on the extent of its consumption and environmental context. In addition to its acute effects, ethanol can impede physical performance when its consumption is of a chronically abusive nature, i.e., alcoholism. It has been known for some time that individuals diagnosed with alcohol dependence have displayed various degrees of muscle damage and weakness (26, 37).The neuroendocrine system, and specifically the interaction of various anabolic (14) and catabolic hormones (2, 19), is part of the response to resistance exercise. This system, which has a role in the maintenance and adaptation of muscular tissue and strength, is also among the many systems affected by acute (1, 27, 32) and chronic ethanol abuse (28,32).With regard to the pituitary-adrenocortical axis, increased postexercise cortisol concentrations have been shown consequent to acute resistance exercise (15, 17). Ethanol ingestion results in elevated circulating cortisol concentrations, and there is apparently a doserelated effect (13, 32). Although there is evidence to suggest that the effect of ethanol on this axis occurs via corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) secretion from hypothalamic neurons (35) via adrenergic stimulation of higher centers (41), there is evidence to indicate that ethanol's effect is instead mediated via an increase in ACTH release from the anterior pituitary gland (18,33).In the pituitary-gonadal axis of men, testosterone is thought to have a role in the adaptation to resistance exercis...

Alcohol consumption and hormonal alterations related to muscle hypertrophy: a review

“…Moderate doses of ethanol (0.83 g/kg) in resistance trained men when consumed immediately after exercise (where nothing was eaten 3.5 hours before, food given during drinking ab libitum) failed to note any significant differences in testosterone levels for up to 300 minutes after exercise [66] and another sport related study using 1 g/kg after a simulated rugby match failed to note a decrease in testosterone despite noting a reduction in power output [67]. Rojdmark et al did not pair ethanol with exercise but used a low dose of 0.45 g/kg on three separate pulses.…”

A low dose of alcohol does not impact skeletal muscle performance after exercise-induced muscle damage

“…Alterations in the postresistance exercise hormone response have been observed after a dose of 0.83 g alcohol per kg bodyweight including a prolonged elevation in cortisol (Koziris et al 2000) and elevated free testosterone (Vingren et al 2003), the latter potentially due to an effect of alcohol on the androgen receptor. Both are thought to negatively affect adaptation to resistance exercise (Vingren et al 2003) and could partly explain our previous findings (Barnes et al 2010a, b).…”

Sports Nutrition and Performance

“…However, there seems to be a high consumption of this substance in team sports and greater consumption in men than women [45]. Among the harmful effects of alcohol consumption, the following can be highlighted: reduction of SP due to decrease in strength, power, speed, and resistance; diuretic effect that affects hydration [46]; diminution of sleep quality, mood, and immune system [47]; elevation of cortisol concentration; and reduction of muscle synthesis up to 24% even when consumed right at the end of the exercise [48].…”