Korean J Prev Med.  1992 Jun;25(2):141-147.

A Study on Speed and Changes of Physical Reaction due to Alcohol Intake

• Nam CH

Abstract

This study was carried out not only to determine blood alcohol levels by time but also to examine the changes of working ability and reaction speed after ingestion of alcohol. Fifteen healthy students aged from 21 to 27 volunteered as subjects for this study. Liguor (So)oo) in concentration of 25% ethyl alcohol was administrated with the amount of lml of ethyl alcohol per kg of body weight to the subjects. The concentration of alcohol in the blood were determined by the "Alcohol Sensor 100" at 5, 30, 60 and 90 minutes after the administration of alcohol. Also, the choice reactiontest, the eye-hand coordination test and kraepelin test were examined at the same time after checking of alcohol concentration in the blood. The results of this study can be summarized as follows. 1. Mean blood alcohol level changes resulting from administration of lml of ethyl alcohol per kg of body weight were 0.16%(160+/-57mg/100ml, 0.10%(100+/-42mg/100m1), 0.08%(80+/-36mg/100ml) and 0.03% (30+/-24mg/100%1) at the 3, 30, 60 and 90 minutes after the administration respectively. The peak in the concentration of blood alcohol was 5 miniutes after the ingestion according to alcohol examination by the respiration. 2. As for choice reaction test, reaction times became prolonged as blood alcohol levels increased. The reaction time showed a significant changes when the blood alcohol concentration reached 0.08% or more after alcohol ingestion. 3. In eye and hand coordination test, the accuracy of the performance became decreased as blood alcohol levels increased. The difference of accuracy of the test was significantly shown when alcohol levels in the blood reached 0.08% or more after alcohol intake. 4. As for kraepelin test, the abilities of calculation also became lowered as blood alcohol levels increased. The abilities of calculation differed signigicantly from control group when aichool levels of 0.08% and more.

MeSH Terms

Body Weight
Eating
Ethanol
Hand
Humans
Reaction Time
Respiration
Ethanol