PMID 32460793

Research
All papers

Influence of daily beer or ethanol consumption on physical fitness in response to a high-intensity interval training program. The BEER-HIIT study

Molina-Hidalgo C, De-la-O A, Dote-Montero M, Amaro-Gahete FJ, Castillo MJ

Question

Does moderate daily beer or ethanol consumption interfere with fitness adaptations to a 10-week HIIT program in healthy young adults?

Summary

Seventy-three healthy young adults were analyzed after a 10-week bodyweight/TRX-style HIIT program with different moderate beverage assignments or a non-training control. HIIT improved VO2max and test duration across training groups, with some handgrip improvements, and daily moderate beer or alcohol intake did not blunt these fitness gains. Dropouts were reported for lack of adherence, physical reasons, and other reasons.

Methodology

  • Healthy young adults, men and women, free of disease and not in structured training.
  • 73 participants.
  • Circuit training with bodyweight and TRX/self-loading exercises.
  • Recovery: Passive rest between exercises and active rest between sets at RPE 6.
  • Intensity: >8/10 RPE, progressing to 10/10 RPE.
  • 20-32.5 minutes per session inferred from 40-65 min/week across two sessions.
  • 2 sessions/week.
  • 10 weeks.
  • Controlled trial with preference-based training/non-training allocation and randomized beverage assignment within preference strata
  • VO2max, Handgrip, and Vertical jumps were tracked.

Outcomes

VO2max

Absolute and relative VO2max improved in all training groups.

All p<0.05 in abstract.

Improved

Test duration

Total test duration improved in all training groups.

p<0.05 in abstract.

Improved

Beer/ethanol effect

Moderate beer or ethanol intake did not influence the positive cardiorespiratory fitness response.

No significant beverage mitigation reported.

No clear change

Jumps

Vertical jump outcomes did not significantly change.

No clear change

Insights

  • RPE-guided bodyweight circuit HIIT twice weekly can improve fitness in healthy adults.
  • Moderate alcohol non-interference is not a recommendation to drink after training.
  • Familiarization and rescheduling were used to support adherence.

Limitations

  • Preference-based allocation
  • Small beverage groups
  • Healthy young adults only
  • Self-reported physical activity
  • Exact work/rest timing not fully described

Safety

  • Ten participants dropped out after allocation: five for lack of adherence, three for physical reasons, two for other reasons.
  • No detailed adverse-event table was reported.