Influence of daily beer or ethanol consumption on physical fitness in response to a high-intensity interval training program. The BEER-HIIT study.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether moderate beer or alcohol consumption interferes with the fitness improvements induced by a 10-week HIIT program in young healthy adults.
Results Summary
The study found that moderate beer or alcohol intake did not mitigate the positive effects of HIIT on cardiorespiratory fitness and hand grip strength, though no changes were observed in vertical jumps.
Population
Young healthy adults (24 ± 6 years old, n = 73, 35 females).
Effective Dosage
Men: 330 ml at lunch and 330 ml at dinner; women: 330 ml at dinner.
Duration
10 weeks (2 days/week).
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10-week HIIT program | increase | absolute and relative values of VO2max | young healthy adults | - | induced significant improvements | #1 |
10-week HIIT program | increase | total test duration | young healthy adults | - | induced significant improvements | #2 |
10-week HIIT program | increase | hand grip strength | young healthy adults | - | clinical improvements were found | #3 |
regular intake of beer or alcohol | no change | positive effects of HIIT on VO2max, test duration, and hand grip strength | young healthy adults | - | not influenced | #4 |
10-week HIIT program | no change | vertical jumps | young healthy adults | - | No changes | #5 |
moderate beer or alcohol intake | no change | positive effect of a 10-week HIIT on physical fitness | young healthy adults | - | does not mitigate | #6 |
BACKGROUND: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is an effective approach to improve physical fitness, but consuming beer, which is a regular practice in many physically active individuals, may interfere with these effects. The purposes of this study were to investigate the effects of a 10-week (2 days/week) HIIT program on cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength and power parameters, and also to assess the possible influence on them of a moderate consumption of beer (at least from Monday to Friday) or its alcohol equivalent. METHODS: Young (24 ± 6 years old) healthy adults (n = 73, 35 females) were allocated to five groups. Four groups participated in the HIIT intervention program while the fifth group was a control Non-Training group (n = 15). Participants in the training groups chose whether they preferred receiving alcohol or alcohol-free beverages. Those choosing alcohol were randomized to either beer or ethanol intake: (i) T-Beer group (alcohol beer, 5.4%; n = 13) or (ii) T-Ethanol (sparkling water with vodka, 5.4%; n = 14). Those choosing alcohol-free intake were randomized to (iii) T-Water group (sparkling water, 0.0%; n = 16), or (iv) T-0.0Beer group (alcohol-free beer, 0.0%; n = 15). Men ingested 330 ml of the beverage at lunch and 330 ml at dinner; women ingested 330 ml at dinner. Before and after the intervention, maximal oxygen uptake in absolute and relative terms (VO2max.), maximal heart rate, total test duration, hand grip strength and four types of vertical jumps were measured. RESULTS: HIIT induced significant improvements in absolute and relative values of VO2max, and total test duration (all p < 0.05) in all the training groups; also, clinical improvements were found in hand grip strength. These positive effects were not influenced by the regular intake of beer or alcohol. No changes in the vertical jumps occurred in any of the groups. CONCLUSIONS: A moderate beer or alcohol intake does not mitigate the positive effect of a 10-week HIIT on physical fitness in young healthy adults. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03660579. Registered 20 September 2018. Retrospectively registered.