Effects of Alcohol
An average American student in college is estimated to drink over 34 gallons of alcohol per annum. 20% of calories are provided alcohol in the diet of a number of drinkers. Alcohol consumption may seem harmless and but a part of college life. However, studies show that athleticism and alcohol use should not be parallel to each other. Although the alcohol may not be eliminated altogether, rigorous efforts should be undertaken in order to avoid the harmful effects of alcohol on athletes such as the following.
Dehydration
Among the effects of alcohol on athletes is severe dehydration as well as confounding electrolyte imbalances. Quite a number of days to a full week are needed to recover fully from severe dehydration. Musculoskeletal injuries which include muscle pulls and strains as well as cramps are a greater risk to a dehydrated athlete. Severe brain injury and even death can result from dehydration especially when during extreme temperatures as well as intense practices. Muscle wasting or loss of muscle mass and reduced appetite is likewise caused by dehydration. Reduced food consumption parallel to loss of appetite will lead to fatigue as well as overtraining that may further increase risk of injury.
Testosterone
Decreased levels of serum testosterone are likewise one of the effects of alcohol on athletes. Reduced aggression, muscle recovery, lean muscle mass as well as general athletic performance is associated with testosterone decrease. This can likewise result in reduced sperm development, testicular shrinkage and breast enlargement in males. Estradial, a kind of estrogen, may likewise heighten in production upping breast cancer risk in females.
Performance
Several days following consumption, alcohol still impairs reaction time as well as mental acuity. Retarded reaction time as well as downgraded mental acuity produces severe consequences to an athlete. Injury risk is increased and performance is reduced. Hand-eye coordination is lowered while judgment is impaired. Breakdown of lactic acid is also affected by alcohol which results to increased soreness following exercise. Drowsiness, nausea and vomiting can also be experienced for days after alcohol consumption.
Fat Storage
7calories/gram is contained in alcohol while fat has nine. Alcohol, in parallel to fat, is stored in the body. Amino acids are also destroyed by alcohol and are then stored as fats. Thus, alcohol intake heightens fat storage and negatively affects the composition of the body given the increase in percentage of body fat. Powerful pathways of energy such as glycolysis are impaired. Lactic acid increases in production which subsequently leads to lower energy, lowered muscle recovery as well as heightened muscles soreness. Alcohol is likewise taken in addition to normal food intake. Given that alcohol contains 7calories/gram, the person’s body weight as well as percentage of body fat increases due to the compounded extra calories.
Social
Alcohol intake can lead to injuries to oneself and other people since alcohol impairs judgment by acting a depressant of the central nervous system. Countless suicides, homicides, fatal car accidents as well as brawls which lead to incarceration are linked to alcohol use. Date rape as well as gender related crimes have resulted from heightened impairment of judgment as well as reduced inhibition or ability to say “NO.”
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