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Gastrointestinal symptoms during long-distance walking
H P Peters1, M Zweers, F J Backx
1Department of Medical Physiology and Sports Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands. h.p.f.peters@med.uu.nL
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|June 23, 1999
Summary
Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms can affect performance during long-distance walking, though less frequently than in intense exercise. Factors like prior experience, weight loss, and diet influence symptom occurrence and severity.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Gastroenterology
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are frequently reported during prolonged, intense exercise.
- The prevalence and impact of GI symptoms during lower-intensity, prolonged activities like endurance walking are less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence, duration, and severity of GI symptoms during a multi-day, long-distance walking event.
- To determine if GI symptoms impact exercise performance in this lower-intensity endurance context.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 155 participants (79 men, 76 women) completed a questionnaire and diary detailing GI symptoms, anthropometrics, diet, and activity.
- Data collected during a four-day, 164-203 km walking event.
Main Results:
- 24% of participants experienced GI symptoms, with nausea, headache, and flatulence being most common.
- GI symptoms were identified as a significant exercise-limiting factor, contributing to two dropouts.
- Symptom incidence and duration correlated with prior event experience, body weight loss, and dietary intake, but not age, gender, training status, or speed.
Conclusions:
- GI symptoms can impair performance during long-distance walking.
- These symptoms are less frequent and severe compared to those experienced during prolonged intense exercise.