The Aftermath of Alcohol Use
There is limited and conflicting evidence on the effects of postalcohol consumption and hangover on functional capacity, but there is sufficient evidence of adverse effects the day after a heavy drinking session for such activities to be discouraged [19•]. O’Brien [20] showed reductions in aerobic exercise performance of rugby players the day after an evening bout of drinking involving an intake of 1 to 38 units of alcohol (equivalent to 10–380 mL pure alcohol),
though anaerobic performance was unaffected. The negative effect on aerobic performance was apparent at even the smallest dose of alcohol. For obvious reasons, there are few studies of the effects of high alcohol intakes on soccer-specific performance, and there appear to be no studies on well-trained football players. In spite of substantial efforts on the part of the alcoholic drinks industry, the causes of the symptoms of hangover are not well understood, but are thought to include dehydration, acid-base disturbances, disruption of cytokine and prostaglandin pathways, and alterations in glucose metabolism via effects on circulating insulin and glucagon levels [21]. There are also disturbances of cardiovascular function during the hangover phase, including increased heart rate, decreased left ventricular performance, and
increased blood pressure [22].