Integrative Contexts Flashcards
(48 cards)
What are the basic effects of alcohol on the body?
- Acts as a depressant and diuretic
- Toxic to the brain and liver in high quantities
- Carcinogenic
- Increases energy intake
- May slightly increase HDL-C but negative effects outweigh benefits
How does alcohol affect catabolic and anabolic processes?
- Inhibits FFA mobilisation and glucose uptake (catabolism);
- Reduces protein synthesis and glycogenesis (anabolism)
How does alcohol affect immunity?
Suppresses both adaptive and innate immunity
What are the brain and thermoregulation effects of alcohol?
- Impairs cognition and motor control
- Causes skin vasodilation
- Affects electrolyte balance
- Impairs thermoregulation
How is alcohol (ethanol) eliminated from the body?
<10% is excreted via breath, sweat, urine; >90% is metabolised in the liver to acetaldehyde (toxic), then to acetate (non-toxic)
What factors influence alcohol elimination?
- Age
- Sex
- Habituation
- Individual differences (e.g., ethnicity)
- Feeding effect
- Hepatic blood flow
- Possibly exercise
What are the cardiovascular effects of alcohol?
- Increases adrenaline
- Blood pressure
- Arrhythmias
- Infarction risk
- Hypothermia risk.
- Causes long-term myocardial damage and hypertension
What metabolic and immune effects does alcohol have?
- Increases adrenaline
- Decreases insulin
- Increases glycogenolysis
- Impairs neutrophil
- Macrophage
- Lymphocyte function
How does alcohol affect fluid balance and hydration?
Impairs anti-diuretic hormone secretion, may cause hypohydration depending on exercise intensity and alcohol content
What CNS effects does alcohol have?
- Suppresses cardiovascular control
- Impairs vestibular and visuomotor function
- Decreases sleep quality
- Impairs performance the next day
How does alcohol impact muscle function and athletic performance?
- Decreases endurance
- VO₂max
- Skilled motor activity
- Fuel availability.
- Can reduce tremors (e.g., marksmen)
What are the training-related effects of alcohol?
Reduces force recovery, protein synthesis, may cause oxidative damage and muscle atrophy. May affect males more than females
How problematic is alcohol in sports?
Major health risk, increases injury and negative outcomes. Binge drinking is common in sport and linked to hazardous behaviours
What countermeasures exist for alcohol’s effects?
Moderation is key. Food intake may aid clearance; exercise does not help alcohol clearance
What is the overall summary of alcohol’s impact on exercise?
Alcohol is widely accepted but causes many social and physical issues. It negatively affects both acute and chronic exercise responses
What is water?
- An essential nutrient
- 40-70% of body mass
- Building material
What are the functions of water?
- Solvent, reactant and medium for reactions to occur within
- Thermoregulation
- Lubricant and shock absorber
What is hyperhydration?
More body water volume than normal
What is euhydration?
Normal state of body water
What is hypohydration?
Less body water volume than normal
What is dehydration?
The process of losing water
What is rehydration?
The process of regaining water
What do the blood pressure receptors detect?
Detect venous and arterial pressures (detect volume)
What do osmoreceptors detect?
- 1% increase in ECF osmolality will decrease urine production
- 2% stimulates thirst
