Skip Navigation

Alcohol and sports performance

Effect on sports injuries

Alcohol increases the bleeding and swelling around soft tissue injuries (sprains, bruises and cuts) so they take longer to recover.

Loss of B vitamins

Alcohol robs the body of B-group vitamins which help repair body tissue after injury.

Slower reaction times

The relaxant properties of alcohol affect the central nervous system and slow down information processing – affecting reactions, coordination, accuracy and balance.

Reduced Endurance

Alcohol reduces the body’s ability to produce glucose, leading to less energy and less endurance capacity.

Greater risk of cramp

Alcohol left in your system after a few drinks the night before contributes to a bigger build up of lactic acid.

Dehydration

Alcohol is a diuretic, making you use extra fluid on top of the normal during exercise – putting you at a greater risk of dehydration.

Share this:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • LinkedIn
  • E-mail
safer student nights Safer Student Nights
The HSE and Union of Students in Ireland (USI) ask students to think about drug safety measures when using club drugs
Harm reduction messages from the #SaferStudentNights campaign.
NewslettereBulletin
NewsNews

More News
Poll Poll

Have you ever been impacted negatively by someone else's drug taking?