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Gastrointestinal disturbances in marathon runners
British Journal of Sports Medicine
|June 1, 1988
Summary
Running commonly causes gastrointestinal (GI) issues in marathoners, with 83% reporting symptoms like bowel urgency and diarrhea. These GI disturbances affect performance, particularly in female and younger runners.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Gastroenterology
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances are frequently reported by athletes during endurance events.
- Understanding the prevalence and characteristics of these symptoms in marathon runners is crucial for performance and well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of running-induced gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances among marathon runners.
- To identify common GI symptoms and factors associated with their occurrence.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire survey was administered to 471 participants of the 1986 Belfast City Marathon.
- Respondents reported the frequency and type of GI disturbances experienced during or after running.
Main Results:
- 83% of runners reported experiencing one or more GI disturbances.
- The most common symptoms were urge to defecate (53%) and diarrhea (38%), with higher prevalence in females.
- Both upper and lower GI symptoms were more frequent during hard runs and equally common during and after running.
Conclusions:
- Running-induced GI disturbances are highly prevalent in marathon runners.
- Symptoms like bowel urgency and diarrhea are common, particularly in female runners.
- The exact causes remain unknown, but GI issues can impact performance.