Effect of Selected Doses of Alcohol on Fatigue Parameters of the Forearm Flexor Muscles

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to enhance knowledge of the effect of alcohol on physical performance by analyzing the effect of a small and moderate dose of alcohol on several aspects of muscular strength and endurance; in addition to the standard dosages, a large dose was given to an experimental subgroup. The parameters studied included initial strength, maximal strength, steady state or final strength, total work, fatigable work and the rate of fatigue of the forearm flexors. Male university students (N = 35) served as subjects and underwent three trials of a standardized work task consisting of intermittent maximum contractions of the forearm flexors performed at the rate of 30/min. for 6 min. Prior to each trial, each subject consumed either a control, small, or moderate dose of alcohol. The statistical analysis indicated that a small or moderate dose of alcohol had no effect on five of the parameters under investigation. The mathematical analysis of the rate of fatigue indicated rather large differences between the main rate constants, but the findings must be interpreted cautiously due to the insignificant nature of the statistical analysis. It was concluded that a small or moderate amount of alcohol had no effect on the strength and endurance variables under investigation.