Year-end Sale % OFF 
Abstract
PurposeAthletes frequently experience gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms during training and competition. Although the prevalence of exercise-induced GI symptoms is high, the mechanisms leading to GI distress during exercise are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to identify running-induced changes in intestinal permeability and markers of GI function and investigate their association with gastrointestinal symptoms.MethodsWe recruited 17 active runners who we allocated as either asymptomatic or symptomatic based on their history of experiencing GI symptoms during running. The participants took part in a running test where they were asked to run for 90 min at 80% of their best 10 km race speed. Intestinal permeability was measured at baseline and after the running test. Levels of serum intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP), zonulin, bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and fecal calprotectin were also measured at baseline and after the running test.ResultsRunning induced a significant increase in intestinal permeability and serum I-FABP concentration but there were no differences between asymptomatic and symptomatic runners. Serum LPS activity did not change from baseline following the running test but the symptomatic group exhibited higher LPS activity at baseline compared to the asymptomatic runners.ConclusionsRunning for 90 min at a challenging pace causes small intestinal damage and increases intestinal permeability. However, these alterations in GI function do not appear to correlate with the development of GI symptoms during running.
Highlights
Exercise-induced gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as diarrhea, cramping, nausea and gastric pain occur frequently in runners during training and competitions
Running induced a significant increase in intestinal permeability and serum intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) concentration but there were no differences between asymptomatic and symptomatic runners
This finding adds to the current literature that has shown mixed results when investigating exercise-induced changes in intestinal permeability (Ryan et al 1996; Pals et al 1997; van Nieuwenhoven et al 1999; Marchbank et al 2011; van Wijck et al 2011; Zuhl et al 2015; Davison et al 2016; JanssenDuijghuijsen et al 2016)
Summary
Exercise-induced gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as diarrhea, cramping, nausea and gastric pain occur frequently in runners during training and competitions. In addition to the high prevalence of these symptoms, exercise-induced GI distress may negatively impact athletic performance and in some cases, lead to dropping out of the competition (Hoffman and Fogard 2011; de Oliveira et al 2014). The etiology of exercise-induced GI disturbances involves multiple physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms (de Oliveira et al 2014), studies have suggested that the key culprit behind GI symptoms during exercise is splanchnic hypoperfusion (ter Steege and Kolkman 2012; van Wijck et al 2012). Contradictory findings exist (Ryan et al 1996; van Nieuwenhoven et al 1999; Van Wijck et al 2012) and the association between impaired barrier function and GI symptoms during exercise remains poorly characterized
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
