Alcohol consumption after downhill running does not affect muscle recovery but prolongs pain perception in East Asian men.

Abstract

Purpose: Alcoholic beverages are commonly consumed following athletic competitions and strenuous exercise for celebration or relaxation purposes. Whether and how alcohol consumption influences muscle recovery and perceived pain following unaccustomed eccentric exercise is unclear. We aimed to determine the effects of alcohol consumption after downhill running on muscular strength and perceived pain in East Asian men.

Methods: Twenty-four young men performed 45 min of downhill (-10%) running at a corresponding speed of 70% VO2 max. Immediately after downhill running and again 24 h later, the participants consumed either an alcoholic beverage (1 g ethanol/kg body weight, alcohol group, n=12) or the same quantity of water (control group, n=12).

Results: Peak isometric and concentric muscle contraction torques during knee extension (via the isokinetic dynamometer) and squat jump height decreased 24 h after downhill running (all p<0.05); however, there were no significant differences between the two groups. The visual analog scores for pain (pain scores) in the quadriceps, hamstring, gastrocnemius, and gluteus maximus muscles increased at 24 h and 48 h in both groups (all p<0.05). Pain scores in the quadriceps decreased gradually from 24 h to 48 h in the control group, but no such trend was observed in the alcohol group (group × time interaction effect; F=4.47, p<0.05).

Conclusion: Acute alcohol consumption does not seem to affect muscle strength or jump performance during recovery. However, the effects on pain appear to persist longer after alcohol consumption in East Asian men.