Recover first! And save your celebration.....

"Failure Friday": My clients know this to be the toughest workout of the week, typically prior to a variety of planned merriment and socialization in the ensuing hours and spilling over into the weekend. The latest research, however, suggests that one might want to consider holding off the festivities to allow for adequate muscle recovery.

A great friend and cycling teammate, Dr. Kim White (of UCSC), recently forwarded a study my direction published in the 2010 Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport (v. 13, 189-193) which concluded that not only does alcohol "magnify the severity of skeletal muscle injury--therefore delaying the recovery of strength in the following 24h period," but in fact, that for 2 or 3 mornings later, muscle performance is still notably impacted.

But don't be fooled into thinking this applies only in the weight room! This study concluded that ANY sport requiring eccentric muscle contractions (i.e. even the armchair quarterback is affected) should bear this information in mind.

Stated simply:

If you are serious about your sport, you shouldn’t be drinking alcohol post ride, run, lift, match, game, or bout (sorry, Derby Girls.....it's true)! Rehydrate, refuel, and recover first. Celebrate second!