Abstract
BackgroundThis study assessed relationships and sex differences between psychological state (recovery, stress, anxiety, and self-confidence) and gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) prior to and during a 56 km ultramarathon running race and identified predictive factors of race GIS. Forty-four (26 males, 18 females) ultramarathon competitors completed anxiety, recovery, stress and GIS questionnaires for three days prior to the race and immediately pre-race. Race GIS were assessed immediately post-race. Spearman’s rank order, Mann–Whitney U tests and regression analyses were used to determine correlations and identify sex differences between psychological state and GIS and determine predictors of race GIS.ResultsRace GIS were significantly correlated with recovery (rs = − 0.381, p = 0.011), stress (rs = 0.500, p = 0.001) and anxiety (rs = 0.408, p = 0.006), calculated as the mean of the three days preceding the race and on race morning. The correlation between anxiety and GIS was strongest in the 24 h immediately prior to the race (all rs > 0.400, and all p < 0.05), but unclear patterns were identified for stress and recovery. Regression analyses showed 36% and 40% of variation in the severity and number of race GIS was accounted for by body mass and measures of stress, anxiety, and GIS over the three days preceding the race and on race morning (both p < 0.001). There were no sex differences in the number and severity of GIS leading up to or during the race (all p > 0.05), however, females reported greater state anxiety (p = 0.018) and lower self-confidence than males (p = 0.006) over the three days preceding the race and on race morning.ConclusionEndurance athletes that experience GIS during competition should investigate elevated stress and/or anxiety as a potential contributor and identify if management strategies can reduce the occurrence and severity of GIS.
Highlights
This study assessed relationships and sex differences between psychological state and gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) prior to and during a 56 km ultramarathon run‐ ning race and identified predictive factors of race GIS
Significant correlations were detected between race GIS with prerace recovery, stress, state anxiety and body mass for all participants (Table 2)
For male participants, statistically significant correlations that were moderate or strong were detected between race GIS with pre-race stress and state anxiety, and significant correlations were detected with pre-race recovery and self-confidence (Table 2)
Summary
This study assessed relationships and sex differences between psychological state (recovery, stress, anxiety, and self-confidence) and gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) prior to and during a 56 km ultramarathon run‐ ning race and identified predictive factors of race GIS. Forty-four (26 males, 18 females) ultramarathon competitors completed anxiety, recovery, stress and GIS questionnaires for three days prior to the race and immediately pre-race. Gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) are frequently reported by endurance athletes, with up to 96% of ultramarathon runners reporting GIS during their event [1, 2]. Other potential contributors to GIS include nutrition intake, and participant characteristics such as greater body mass, lesser training/running experience, older age, female sex and a history of prior GIS [6]
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