Beyond the Hangover: Associations Between Binge Drinking, Health, and Performance in Young Adult Resistance-Trained Females

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to evaluate associations between resistance training and binge drinking in relation to musculoskeletal composition, physical fitness, cognitive function, and psychological wellness in young adult females. METHODS: Participants were categorized into four groups: sedentary low alcohol consumers (SL; n=12), sedentary binge drinkers (SB; n=12), resistance-trained low alcohol consumers (RTL; n=12), and resistance-trained binge drinkers (RTB; n=12). Measurements included body composition via DEXA scan, muscle quality via ultrasonography, and insulin sensitivity via oral glucose tolerance test. Physical performance was assessed using maximum chair stand power, vertical jump, broad jump, knee extensor torque, grip strength, and push-ups to failure. Tests and questionnaires were used to assess cognitive function and psychological wellness. RESULTS: Resistance-trained females had lower body fat than sedentary females (RTL = 29.28±4.27%; RTB = 29.03±3.67%; SL = 37.18±5.32%; SB = 34.83±3.54%; p<0.05), and RTL had more fat-free mass than SL and SB (RTL = 48.31±5.81 kg; SL = 38.08±6.59 kg; SB = 40.37±6.05 kg; both p<0.05). There were no differences between RTL and RTB in bone mineral density, muscle quality, or physical performance. RTL outperformed SL and SB on vertical jump (both p<0.05) while RTB outperformed SL and SB on broad jump. RTL had lower fasting blood glucose than RTB (88.92±12.09 mg/dL and 103.17 ± 10.21 mg/dL, respectively; p=0.008), and lower postprandial blood glucose than all groups (RTL = 103.83±19.82 mg/dL; RTB = 137.58±21.54 mg/dL; SL = 148.50±44.60 mg/dL; SB = 139.25±14.49 mg/dL; all p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that ≥1 year of binge drinking is associated with poorer metabolic health without differences in performance in young females. Further, frequent RT may mitigate the effects of binge drinking on body composition.