Abstract
BackgroundUltra-endurance cyclists regularly report various extents of bodily decline during long-distance bicycle rides, including potential kidney function-related symptoms such as swelling of body parts and urine changes. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of these symptoms in a representative cohort of ultra-endurance cyclists and shed light on potential predictors related to the ride, the rider and the rider’s behavior.MethodsBetween November 26 and December 14, 2020, 1350 people participated in an online survey investigating potential kidney-related symptoms of ultra-distance cycling. Frequency and severity of edema-like (“swelling”) symptoms and perceived changes in urine output, concentration and quality were associated with ride-related factors, demographic parameters and rider behavior-related variables.ResultsA total of 919 participants met the predefined inclusion criteria. The majority (N = 603, 65.6%) stated that they suffered from at least one potential kidney function-related symptom, out of which 498 (54.2%) stated one or more edema-like (“swelling”) symptoms. In correlational and multiple regression analyses, female sex, intake of analgesics and drinking strategies correlated with swelling symptoms. Further analyses indicated that drinking due to thirst and/or drinking adapted to ambient sweating and temperature negatively correlated with swelling symptoms, whereas “drinking as much as possible” enhanced these. Intake of analgesics was moderately positively correlated with swelling symptoms.ConclusionsAccording to our survey, edema-like symptoms occur in the majority of ultra-distance cyclists and female sex, drinking strategy and intake of analgesic drugs are major predictors thereof. Studies are needed to investigate the underlying pathophysiological processes of such symptoms.
Highlights
Ultra-endurance cyclists regularly report various extents of bodily decline during long-distance bicycle rides, including potential kidney function-related symptoms such as swelling of body parts and urine changes
Full list of author information is available at the end of the article
Edema-like symptoms are common in ultra-distance cyclists, and female sex, intake of analgesic drugs and reported maximization of liquid intake positively correlate with the occurrence of edema-like symptoms
Summary
Ultra-endurance cyclists regularly report various extents of bodily decline during long-distance bicycle rides, including potential kidney function-related symptoms such as swelling of body parts and urine changes. The vaguely-defined term “ultra-endurance cycling” typically describes bicycle races covering a distance of several hundreds of kilometers, either sub-divided into predefined stages or as single-stage races. While some of these single-stage races allow outside support (e.g. the Race Across America), other races prohibit any forms of outside support that are not available to each participant (e.g. the Transcontinental Race/TCR). Peripheral edema, manifesting as swelling of different body parts including lower (ankles, feet) and upper (hands, fingers) extremities, eyelids, or the entire face, is a symptom that may occur during strenuous exercise. Anecdotal reports of different types of swelling symptoms among participants of the TCR and similar ultra-endurance bicycle races have lately been registered in the community, mainly via social media platforms and personal interaction with race participants
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