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

PMID: 32460793
Journal: Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
Published: 2020 May 27
Authors: 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.

## Population

- Healthy young adults, men and women, free of disease and not in structured training.
- Sample size: 73
- Age: 24 +/- 6 years
- Sex: 35 females and 38 males
- Fitness level: Healthy adults not engaged in structured training or weight-loss program
- Health status: BMI 18.5-30 kg/m2; free of disease, pregnancy/lactation, chronic medication, pain, recent injuries, or strenuous-activity limitations

## Methodology

- Controlled trial with preference-based training/non-training allocation and randomized beverage assignment within preference strata
- 10 weeks
- Supervised group exercise sessions in Granada, Spain
- Randomized and controlled study design.

## Protocol

- Bodyweight/TRX HIIT.
- Modality: Circuit training with bodyweight and TRX/self-loading exercises.
- Recovery: Passive rest between exercises and active rest between sets at RPE 6.
- Sets or repetitions: Eight exercises performed in circuit form twice per set.
- Intensity: >8/10 RPE, progressing to 10/10 RPE.
- Session duration: 20-32.5 minutes per session inferred from 40-65 min/week across two sessions.
- Frequency: 2 sessions/week.
- Program length: 10 weeks.
- Progression: Familiarization followed by increased weekly volume and RPE intensity.
- Non-training control.
- Modality: No HIIT.
- Program length: 10 weeks.

## Outcomes

### VO2max
Status: improved
Absolute and relative VO2max improved in all training groups.

All p<0.05 in abstract.

### Test duration
Status: improved
Total test duration improved in all training groups.

p<0.05 in abstract.

### Beer/ethanol effect
Status: no clear change
Moderate beer or ethanol intake did not influence the positive cardiorespiratory fitness response.

No significant beverage mitigation reported.

### Jumps
Status: no clear change
Vertical jump outcomes did not significantly change.

## Practical 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 And Adherence

- 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.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32460793/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-020-00356-7) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7254771/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

Preserve the paper-level scope of this note. Do not generalize beyond the population, protocol, measured outcomes, and limitations above.