Grabbing a pint after a game is a time-honored tradition for many, from weekend warriors to professional athletes. No big surprise here that consuming alcohol before a game can impair your ability to play. But how about this new not remotely surprising conclusion from a Kiwi study: Drinking alcohol after your match can compromise your performance on the field for up to 60 hours. And we’re not talking about getting drunk; This is just a few swigs.
Their strength was measured after 36 and 60 hours and compared with those who were given just fruit juice. Those who drank alcohol showed a marked loss in recovery. Study author Matt Barnes, of Massey University, New Zealand, said: “If you drink moderate levels of alcohol after you use your muscles strenuously you are impairing your ability to recover.”
When I’ve been at sports tournaments, I have long passed up alcohol until the competition is over; I always feel so dehydrated after games, alcohol’s the last thing I want to touch. Now with this, I’ll be buying my opponents shots!
on Jan 21st, 2009 at 8:00 PM
As I remember alcohol consumption interferes w/muscle repair. Hasn’t seemed to influence my development as I am the original hard gainer. My crew and I make up for all those body builder/heavy duty gym dudes who are abstaining
The PacNW, Portland, Oregon and Seattle, WA is just paradise for beer lovers with a huge variety of micro brews and supplies for home brewers. It’s weird how a few pints helps your pool or darts game (group tightener) but my golf game goes to @#$% before I take 2 pulls off a can from the beer cart at the course. I am always happy to buy the guys I play golf w/a beer or 2 to help my score but I never drink on the course. Golf is too frustrating as it is to throw off my coordination and game. Aussies (the crazy Brits for that matter) not pounding pints after a rugby match just wouldn’t be right at all.