Effect of alcohol on perceived exertion in relation to heart rate and blood lactate

The purpose of the study was to determine whether the perception of exertion is affected by alcohol during physical performance and whether altered self-rating of exertion is the result of an altered perception per se or of an altered physical capacity to perform work. Ten healthy men participated. Each subject was his own control and received an alcohol dose corresponding to 1 g.kg-1 body mass in 40% solution in the experimental session. The exercise test was performed on a cycle ergometer with an initial intensity of 50 W which was increased stepwise by 50 W at 4-min intervals up to near-maximal. The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) did not differ between alcohol and control sessions. Alcohol induced a significant increase in heart rate during exercise at 50 W (delta x = 8 beats.min-1) and at 100 W (delta x = 10 beats.min-1), while the change at higher intensities was insignificant. The systolic blood pressure and the blood lactate concentration were not significantly changed by alcohol. It is concluded that a moderate dose of alcohol does not alter RPE during physical exercise either per se or secondarily to an altered physical capacity to perform work.