Athletes work hard and are determined to be the best. Consider these questions before making decisions about drinking as an athlete.

• How important is my sport to me?

• How important is drinking or partying to me?

• How important is it that I perform to the best of my ability?

• How will drinking affect my ability to perform?

• How will my body feel if I drink? How will I feel if I don't drink?

• Will I violate team, University, or state laws and regulations if I choose to drink?

• What can I do instead of drinking heavily?

• How can I stay motivated to stick with my decision?

Athletic Performance & Mental Sharpness

• Alcohol is not considered to be a performance enhancing substance. It slows the body down and can have effects up to one day after consumption.

• Alcohol influences balance, reaction time, fine and complex motor skills, and information processing.

• Drinking alcohol the night before or after a game can affect your performance. Hangovers can result in symptoms of headaches, nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, dehydration, and body aches that can diminish athletic performance.

• There is no benefit from alcohol use for sport performance.

Courtesy of University Health Services, The University of Texas at Austin.
Published by the University of Texas at Austin University Health Services.
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.
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