Acute alcohol ingestion decreases the work done above the end-test power during a 3-min all-out cycling exercise.

This study examined the effects of acute alcohol ingestion on cycling performance parameters derived from the power–duration relationship during a 3-minute all-out cycling test. Twenty-four recreational cyclists consumed either a moderate dose of ethanol (0.4 g/kg body mass) or a placebo 30 minutes before testing. Results showed that alcohol ingestion significantly reduced the work done above end-test power (WEP), an indicator of anaerobic work capacity, by 16%, while end-test power (EP), peak power output, and heart rate remained unchanged. The reduction in WEP and mean power output was independent of participants' sex or their ability to identify alcohol ingestion. These findings suggest that moderate acute alcohol consumption impairs anaerobic performance during high-intensity exercise without affecting steady-state heavy-intensity power output.