The effect of post-match alcohol ingestion on recovery from competitive rugby league matches

J Strength Cond Res. 2013 May;27(5):1304-12. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e318267a5e9.

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of alcohol ingestion on lower-body strength and power and physiological and cognitive recovery after competitive Rugby League matches. Nine male Rugby players participated in 2 matches, followed by 1 of 2 randomized interventions, a control or alcohol ingestion session. Four hours post-match, participants consumed either beverages containing a total of 1 g of ethanol per kilogram bodyweight (vodka and orange juice; ALC) or a caloric and taste-matched nonalcoholic beverage (orange juice; CONT). Before the match, immediately post-match, 2 hours post-, and 16 hours post-match measures of countermovement jump (CMJ); maximal voluntary contraction (MVC); voluntary activation (VA); and damage and stress markers of creatine kinase (CK), C-reactive protein (CRP), cortisol, and testosterone analyzed from venous blood collection; and cognitive function (modified Stroop test) were determined. Alcohol resulted in large effects for decreased CMJ height (-2.35 ± 8.14% and -10.53 ± 8.36% decrement for CONT and ALC, respectively; p = 0.15, d = 1.40), without changes in MVC (p = 0.52, d = 0.70) or VA (p = 0.15, d = 0.69). Furthermore, alcohol resulted in a significant slowing of total time in a cognitive test (p = 0.04, d = 1.59) while exhibiting large effects for detriments in congruent reaction time (p = 0.19, d = 1.73). Despite large effects for increased cortisol after alcohol ingestion during recovery (p = 0.28, d = 1.44), post-match alcohol consumption did not unduly affect testosterone (p = 0.96, d = 0.10), CK (p = 0.66, d = 0.70), or CRP (p = 0.75, d = 0.60). It seems that alcohol consumption during the evening after competitive rugby matches may have some detrimental effects on peak power and cognitive recovery the morning after a Rugby League match. Accordingly, practitioners should be aware of the potential associated detrimental effects of alcohol consumption on recovery and provide alcohol awareness to athletes at post-match functions.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Alcohol Drinking / adverse effects*
  • Alcohol Drinking / physiopathology*
  • Athletic Performance*
  • Biomarkers
  • C-Reactive Protein / metabolism
  • Cognition / drug effects
  • Creatine Kinase / blood
  • Fatigue / physiopathology*
  • Football*
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / blood
  • Male
  • Muscle, Skeletal / drug effects
  • Psychomotor Performance / drug effects
  • Recovery of Function*
  • Stress, Physiological / drug effects
  • Testosterone / blood
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Testosterone
  • C-Reactive Protein
  • Creatine Kinase
  • Hydrocortisone