Effects of Alcohol on Athletic Performance

For years past, athletes have been using alcohol, whether it be for the benefit of their sport or, more often, for recreational use. Examples can include post game celebrations, team bonding events, and more, and this habit spans across a variety of sports and its levels. According to the National Strength and Conditioning Association, from an athletic performance perspective, “the acute use of alcohol can influence motor skills, hydration status, aerobic performance, as well as aspects of the recovery process; consequently, influencing subsequent training and competitions” (RD). Continued usage can also lead to deficiencies in nutrition, bad immune function, and increased risk of injury. No matter how common it is, alcohol use has its clear risks to athletic performance. Understanding it is essential for athletes who want to perform at their best and maintain their long term health. 

According to the NIH Database, alcohol “inhibits Ca2+ transients into the myocyte”, which in turn impairs the excitation and contraction coupling which affects the strength output (Vella and Cameron-Smith). In other words, alcohol disrupts the communication between nerves and muscles. Adding on, it also compromises sarcolemmal integrity, increases fluid loss through evaporation, reduces core body temperature, and reduces the central nervous system’s ability. These effects combined can, and will, drastically lower an athlete’s endurance, coordination, and ability to perform consistently at a high level. 

Furthermore, alcohol has little to no nutritional value and gives the body empty calories with no health benefits. Drinking alcohol can also inhibit nutrient and vitamin absorption for the body, which is important as they are needed for the proper function of body systems. For example, vitamin B1, which plays a crucial part in metabolizing, is limited in absorption by alcohol. This does not allow carbohydrates to give an individual the energy they require. Another example is Zinc, which decreases in amount after consuming alcohol. This can make the athlete tired and fatigued, slow down their recovery, ache their muscle, and can even lead to further injury. 

In conclusion, even though alcohol consumption may be socially accepted and common with athletes, its negative impact on their performance is proven and cannot be denied. It poses a serious threat to their ability, such as impairing nutrient absorption and slowing down their recovery. Therefore, for athletes wanting to reach their full potential in their respective sports, staying in the know about these facts and making mindful choices about substance use is important.

Works Cited 

RD, Claire Siekaniec, MS. “The Effects of Alcohol on Athletic Performance.” Www.ncsa.com, 1 June 2017, 

www.nsca.com/education/articles/nsca-coach/the-effects-of-alcohol-on-athletic-performa nce2. Accessed 11 Apr. 2025. 

Vella, Luke D., and David Cameron-Smith. “Alcohol, Athletic Performance and Recovery.” Nutrients, vol. 2, no. 8, 27 July 2010, pp. 781–789, 

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3257708/, https://doi.org/10.3390/nu2080781. Accessed 11 Apr. 2025.