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Esophageal reflux in conditioned runners, cyclists, and weightlifters
Kimberly L Collings1, F Pierce Pratt, Sheila Rodriguez-Stanley
1Oklahoma Foundation for Digestive Research, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA. kimberly-collings@ouhsc.edu
Introduction:
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a disorder in which gastric contents move from stomach to esophagus. Exercise is a recognized contributing factor to reflux in healthy volunteers and is reported to be proportional to exercise intensity and the type of exercise. Our aim was to explore changes in physiology occurring in conditioned runners, cyclists, and weightlifters.
Methods:
Ten subjects from each sport with >3-month history of exercise-induced heartburn were enrolled. Subjects underwent evaluation of fasting and fed esophageal pH, heart rate, GI symptom, and perceived exertion during standardized exercise routines at 65% (60 min) and 85% (20 min) of their maximal capabilities.
Results:
Weightlifters experienced the most heartburn and reflux: 18.51 +/- 17.34% time esophageal pH
Conclusion:
Our study demonstrates that strenuous exercise induces significant reflux and related symptoms in conditioned athletes.