The most important thing to know if you are serious about sports is that alcohol DOES NOT mix well with sports. Alcohol reduces reaction time, increases body heat, and reduces endurance.
Strength
The blood sugar your body needs for energy is produced by releasing glucose from the liver into the blood. Alcohol reduces the body's ability to produce this sugar, so you have less energy and endurance.
Heat loss
If you have ever felt cold and hot after a “long” night out, then you will recognize this symptom. First, the alcohol in your system makes you feel like you have a fever, and then you lose heat very quickly, which can lead to hypothermia. The colder the weather and the more you play or train, the greater the risk.
Reaction times
The relaxing properties of alcohol may continue for some time after you stop drinking. Alcohol affects the central nervous system and slows down the brain's ability to process information. This in turn affects your reactions, coordination, accuracy, and balance which is everything that is important in any sporting activity.
Sports injuries and muscle cramps
Alcohol increases bleeding and swelling around soft tissue injuries (sprains, bruises, and cuts, i.e. the most common injuries) so more recovery time is needed. Alcohol also conceals pain, so it can take a while to get help, which could make a difference in a speedy recovery.
If you are injured, avoid drinking alcohol – at least until you start treatment.
During exercises, your muscles burn sugar producing lactic acid. A large amount of lactic acid leads to muscle fatigue and cramps.
Alcohol left in your system after a few drinks from the previous night contributes to the accumulation of a larger amount of lactic acid and greatly increases the risk of cramping.