Cimetidine reduces running-associated gastrointestinal bleeding. A prospective observation

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Gastroenterology
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Ultradistance running is associated with a high incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding and symptoms.
• The etiology of exercise-induced gastrointestinal issues remains incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of cimetidine on gastrointestinal bleeding and symptoms during a 100-mile running race.
• To correlate gastrointestinal bleeding and symptoms with training data in ultradistance runners.

Main Methods:

• Prospective observational study involving 25 runners in a 100-mile endurance race.
• Intervention group (n=9) received cimetidine before and during the race; control group (n=16) did not.
• Stool specimens analyzed for gastrointestinal bleeding (Hemoccult cards) pre- and post-race; gastrointestinal symptoms and training data collected via questionnaires.

Main Results:

• Significantly lower rates of post-race gastrointestinal bleeding in the cimetidine group (11%) compared to controls (87.5%) (P <= 0.05).
• Reduced incidence of nausea and vomiting reported by runners taking cimetidine (P <= 0.05).
• No significant difference in race completion or performance between groups.

Conclusions:

• Cimetidine administration appears effective in reducing exercise-induced gastrointestinal bleeding in ultradistance runners.
• Findings suggest a potential role for H2 receptor antagonists in managing gastrointestinal distress during prolonged strenuous exercise.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying gastrointestinal bleeding in endurance athletes.