Key result
A 10-week high-intensity interval training program significantly improved VO2max and hand grip strength, and these positive effects were not mitigated by concurrent moderate daily intake of beer or ethanol.
Why the study?
HIIT improves physical fitness, but regular beer consumption may interfere with these adaptations.
Does moderate beer or alcohol intake mitigate the positive effects of a 10-week HIIT program on physical fitness in young healthy adults?
RCT (n=73)
Single-blind (assessment staff blinded to group assignment)
Partially randomized (based on individual preference for alcohol vs non-alcohol, then randomized to specific beverage)
No
Does moderate beer or alcohol intake mitigate the positive effects of a 10-week HIIT program on physical fitness in young healthy adults?
p-value: p=0.004
A moderate beer or alcohol intake does not mitigate the positive effects of a 10-week high-intensity interval training program on physical fitness in young healthy adults.
Moderate alcohol intake need not be restricted during HIIT in healthy young adults; extends RCT evidence that moderate drinking is compatible with fitness gains.
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is an effective approach to improve physical fitness, but consuming beer, which is a regular practice in many physically active individuals, may interfere with these effects. The purposes of this study were to investigate the effects of a 10-week (2 days/week) HIIT program on cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength and power parameters, and also to assess the possible influence on them of a moderate consumption of beer (at least from Monday to Friday) or its alcohol equivalent. Methods: Young (24 ± 6 years old) healthy adults (n = 73, 35 females) were allocated to five groups. Four groups participated in the HIIT intervention program while the fifth group was a control Non-Training group (n = 15). Participants in the training groups chose whether they preferred receiving alcohol or alcohol-free beverages. Those choosing alcohol were randomized to either beer or ethanol intake: (i) T-Beer group (alcohol beer, 5.4%; n = 13) or (ii) T-Ethanol (sparkling water with vodka, 5.4%; n = 14). Those choosing alcohol-free intake were randomized to (iii) T-Water group (sparkling water, 0.0%; n = 16), or (iv) T-0.0Beer group (alcohol-free beer, 0.0%; n = 15). Men ingested 330 ml of the beverage at lunch and 330 ml at dinner; women ingested 330 ml at dinner. Before and after the intervention, maximal oxygen uptake in absolute and relative terms (VO2max.), maximal heart rate, total test duration, hand grip strength and four types of vertical jumps were measured. HIIT induced significant improvements in absolute and relative values of VO2max, and total test duration (all p < 0.05) in all the training groups; also, clinical improvements were found in hand grip strength. These positive effects were not influenced by the regular intake of beer or alcohol. No changes in the vertical jumps occurred in any of the groups. A moderate beer or alcohol intake does not mitigate the positive effect of a 10-week HIIT on physical fitness in young healthy adults. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03660579 . Registered 20 September 2018. Retrospectively registered.
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Molina‐Hidalgo et al. (2020) conducted an RCT in Healthy adults (n=73). High-intensity interval training (HIIT) combined with moderate beer or ethanol consumption vs. Non-Training control and alcohol-free beverage groups was evaluated on Cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max in absolute values) (p=0.004). A 10-week high-intensity interval training program significantly improved VO2max and hand grip strength, and these positive effects were not mitigated by concurrent moderate daily intake of beer or ethanol.
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