Would You Like Wine With Your Workout?
written by admin on Oct 22, 2009
Though it would seem to defy logic (and sanity!), a recent study by the American Journal of health promotion, shows that those who drink, exercise more each week than their tee total counterparts. The lead author of the study, Michael French, also claimed “Alcohol users not only exercised more than abstainers, but the differential actually increased with more drinking”.
The survey, conducted on about 230,000 Americans, showed that those who drank were 10% more likely to engage in vigorous physical activity. This averaged at working out for 7.2 minutes more per week, than those who don't drink. Moderate drinking has always been touted for its potential health benefits, so is it possible to say that another benefit is the incentive to exercise?
I wouldn't celebrate too soon. As French pointed out, the amount of exercise increased with the amount of alcohol consumed, perhaps in an effort to counteract the weight gain associated with many calorific beverages. In addition, however, heavy drinking is associated with serious illness, such as heart disease, and cirrhosis of the liver, of which no amount of exercise can negate. Often such illness is fatal, with a shortened life expectancy.
That said, the assumption is people exercise to counteract the negative effects of alcohol on their body, and an attempt to stave off the aging effects of booze. I find it hard to believe that this is accurate, especially the fact that the higher the consumption, the greater the amount of exercise. As someone who would enjoy a glass of wine on occasion, I find that alcohol in any quantity, can leave you feeling foggy and under the weather the next day. Hardly the ideal circumstances to go exercising. In addition, most people (and I include myself in this), would rather stay in bed/on the couch the day after a few drinks, and often times it can be two or three days later before you feel in any way motivated to go to the gym.
Maybe the study got this a little confused - maybe its not heavy drinkers who exercise more often, but rather exercise drives them to drink more!
Claire Wallace is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, with a focus on pre and post natal fitness. Based in Hong Kong, she enjoys keeping fit, and helping others reach their fitness goals. She understands the importance of keeping up to date with the many changes and developments in the health and fitness industry, and shares this knowledge through her blog on http://www.CoreReflex.com.
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