Effects of alcohol on cardiorespiratory function and lactate production

The study was conducted to assess the effects of the ingestion of small and moderate dosages of alcohol on selected physiological responses during rest, exercise, and recovery. Twelve subjects, six abstainers and six moderate drinkers, performed a progressive work task on the Monark bicycle ergometer to exhaustion after ingestion of a placebo (.0 ml./kg.), small (.44 ml./kg.), and moderate dose (.88 ml./kg.) of 190 proof ethyl alcohol mixed in grapefruit juice. The work tasks consisted of three minutes each at 360, 720, and 1,080 kpm./minute. Thereafter, the resistance was increased by l80 kpm./minute every three minutes until the subject was unable to maintain a pedal rate of 60 rpm. Differences due to dosages and type of drinkers were evaluated by a two way (2 x 3) analysis of variance.

There were no significant differences (p > .05) in heart rate, oxygen uptake, endurance, rating of perceived exertion, and blood lactate due to the ingestion of a small and moderate dose of alcohol compared to the control condition.

Post hoc analysis revealed that the diastolic blood pressure of abstainers during exercise at 720 kpm./minute was significantly higher after ingestion of the small and moderate dosages than the control dose. The ventilation of moderate drinkers at rest30 minutes after ingestion of the moderate dose was significantly higher than after ingestion of the control and small dose.

There is little evidence from this study to support the conclusion that ingestion of small and moderate dosages of alcohol by abstainers and moderate drinkers affect cardiorespiratory function and lactate production.