Alcohol and training

[JuicyUltimate]

I?m a moderate drinker, mostly over weekends. Nothing serious, just a few beers or so while out and about. Don?t really drink any alcohol during the week. My question is, what effect does alcohol have on ones training? Specifically on your muscles. I?ve heard the alcohol actually breaks the muscle tissue down, but not sure how much you need to drink for this to happen and if the fact is actually true.

 

Most of my training is done during the week with occasional rides over weekends but when I?m doing my first ride for the week coming Monday/Tuesday, it actually feels if my muscles shrank over the weekend. Maybe it?s just all in the mind.

 

Anyone got some info regarding this? Same experience?

JuicyUltimate2008-12-02 05:23:43

[Mudsimus]

I think we need to discuss this over a beer or 6.

[TNT1]

 

I think we need to discuss this over a beer or 6.

 

No, no, we'll have a beer or 6, then have the discussion on a training ride...

 

[Red Zone]

The biggest problem is probably the dehydration from alchohol and loss of deep sleep.

[gianni]

don't drink

[paulvs]

almost phusa thursday 

 

I would say 3 beers - good carb load before a MTB ride

 

[markStockton]

Ah, beer,

 

the worlds best recovery drink,

also good for a mid race "pick me up"

 

Must arrange at least 24 team mates for the weekend.   

[grosjoster]

don't really know exactly what the effects of drinking is. BUT, I've done a few races on a Sunday after I was hammered the Friday or Saturday night and had good results. I guess that has to do with the glycogen levels in your body and liver. But I've also had a few sh*t races after I went out the previous night...

[Hendrik_S]

Alcohol is a diuretic, and after drinking you may become dehydrated, To stay hydrated, drink more water than you're used to, and bring some on your run, especially if it's over an hour long. <?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Also because it's a diuretic, alcohol depletes your electrolytes (potassium and sodium). And despite what your frat bros may have told you, alcohol -- even beer -- is not nutritious. In fact, the <?: prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) states that orange juice has four times the potassium of beer. So eat bananas or drink OJ for potassium, and drink sodium-containing sports drinks such as Gatorade to replace both potassium and sodium.

Be aware that even if you don't feel a hangover, the lingering effects of alcohol will impede training and conditioning progress and reduce total work output, according to the ACSM. If you're working up to a goal, a post-drinking run might not bring results.

If you have a race coming up and need to be really on top of your game, the ACSM recommends skipping anything beyond "low amount social drinking" for 48 hours prior to the event. It can take your body up to three days to purge itself of alcohol. One drink (sorry) over the course of an evening is your best bet.

[Spinnekop]

We ride to be able to drink.

No big weight gains

You get drunk faster = cheaper

Cycling girls know that when they bring beer, they HAVE to arrive neked.....

 

[TNT1]

 

But I've also had a few sh*t races after I went out the previous night...

 

Hey, I've had a few **** races when I didn't go out the night before...

 

[Hendrik_S]

Here is the black and white and answer!

ALCOHOL

Occasional articles will appear touting the benefits of alcohol as an energy source for vary sports activities. Although alcohol does contain more energy per gram (7 Cal/gram) than carbohydrates, and is rapidly absorbed from the intestinal tract, the available evidence suggests these Calories are not utilized to any significant extent during exercise. Thus its negative effects outweigh any theoretical positive ones. These include

 

it is a diuretic and contributes to dehydration

it slows down glucose production and release from the liver

it disturbs motor skills including balance and coordination

In a recent study from Penn State, 10 women were given a mixed drink equal to a moderate drink. They then rode stationary bikes for 30 minutes at 70% of their maximum heart rate. Compared to their own baseline performance off alcohol, cycling after alcohol required more energy, produced a higher heart rate, and stimulated a higher cardiovascular demand. Even moderate drinking while exercising placed increased demands on the cardiovascular system.

The bottom line is a definite negative influence on performance.

I know we all say we had some good results and some bad ones but deep down we know that the booze is not good if you wanna go fast...

[big_guy_g]

Beer glorious beer!!!!!

 

Some of my best races have been when I wake up and I'm still plastered!!!

 

Not going to try that logic for 24 hour this weekend though!!!

[markStockton]

Bring all the evidence you like, I'm with Spidey on this one. 

[Thug]

Have to agree with Spidey & Mark.

 

The guys reckon I'm the fittest alcoholic in my pub.

 

 

 

 

[gianni]

don't really know exactly what the effects of drinking is. BUT' date=' I've done a few races on a Sunday after I was hammered the Friday or Saturday night and had good results. I guess that has to do with the glycogen levels in your body and liver. But I've also had a few sh*t races after I went out the previous night... [/quote']

 

Alcohol has an effect on Testosterone levels (yup...Flandis wasn't lying about THIS).