Effect of acute postexercise ethanol intoxication on the neuroendocrine response to resistance exercise

This investigation was conducted to determine the effect of postexercise et hanol intoxication (21.97 +/- 1.09 mmol/l blood) on the response of selecte d aspects of the neuroendocrine system to a resistance exercise (Ex) sessio n. Nine resistance-trained men (25.0 +/- 1.4 yr, 179.4 +/- 3.4 cm, 79.7 +/- 3.3 kg) were used to compare three S-day treatments: control, Ex, and etha nol after exercise (ExEt). Blood was collected serially from an antecubital vein before exercise, immediately after exercise, and for pooled analysis at 20-40 (2 samples), 60-120 (4 samples), and 140-300 (9 samples) min after exercise on day I and in the morning (2 samples each) on days 2 and 3. Eth anol did not increase circulating epinephrine, norepinephrine, or cortisol concentration (Cort) above Ex elevations. At 60-120 min, only ExEt Cort was greater than control Cort. Concentrations of testosterone, luteinizing hor mone, and corticotropin were not affected by either treatment. It is conclu ded that, although this blood ethanol concentration is insufficient to acut ely increase Cort above that caused by Ex alone, it appears that ethanol ma y have a prolonged effect beyond the Ex response. This blood ethanol concen tration does not further stimulate the sympathoadrenal system during the po stexercise response.