Alcohol and Athletic Performance

“Alcohol and Athletic Performance” 

It has been estimated that the average American college student drinks more than 34 gallons of alcohol every year.  Alcohol may provide as much as 20 percent of calories in the diet of some drinkers.  On the surface, alcohol consumption seems harmless and a normal part of the college experience. 

However, research overwhelmingly suggests that alcohol use and athleticism do not go hand in hand...

Alcohol not only impairs judgement making you more succeptible to injury and depression, but there are biological consequences to your performance which affect your teammates.

Mixing Alcohol with your performance will decrease muscle strength, performance, create electrolyte imbalances, vitamin deficiencies, increase body fat, and low glycogen levels.  Furthermore, alcohol “has a detrimental effect on the quality of your sleep and daytime attention”.  This relates to your (in)ability to focus in the classroom and on the playing field.

“Alcohol prevents athletes from reaching their ultimate playing potential. If one or more players on a team were to be in this condition during the game, this can have negative effects on the team as a whole.  Every member of the team needs to play at [her] best at all times in order to have a team of champions.  Don’t let alcohol abuse be the reason you don’t play at your best!”

UC Sand Diego Athletic Performance Nutrition Bulletin, http://www.nmnathletics.com/attachments1/507.htm?DB_OEM_ID=5800