Dietary Patterns in Runners with Gastrointestinal Disorders |
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Authors: | Kelly Anne Erdman Kim Wagner Jones Robyn F Madden Nancy Gammack Jill A Parnell |
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Institution: | 1.Canadian Sport Institute, Calgary, AB T3B 6B7, Canada;2.Helios Wellness Centres, Calgary, AB T2N 4Z6, Canada;3.Health and Physical Education, Mount Royal University, Calgary, AB T3E 6K6, Canada; (R.F.M.); (N.G.); (J.A.P.) |
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Abstract: | Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and reflux frequently experience gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS), potentially enhanced by high-intensity running. Food avoidances, food choices, and GIS in runners with IBS/IBD (n = 53) and reflux (n = 37) were evaluated using a reliability and validity tested questionnaire. Comparisons to a control group of runners (n = 375) were made using a Fisher’s Exact test. Runners with IBS/IBD experienced the greatest amount of exercise-induced GIS followed by those with reflux. Commonly reported GIS were stomach pain/cramps (77%; 53%), bloating (52%; 50%), intestinal pain/cramps (58%; 33%), and diarrhea (58%; 39%) in IBS/IBD and reflux groups respectively. In the pre-race meal, those with IBS/IBD frequently avoided milk products (53%), legumes (37%), and meat (31%); whereas, runners with reflux avoided milk (38%), meat (36%), and high-fibre foods (33%). When considering food choices pre-race, runners with IBS/IBD chose grains containing gluten (40%), high fermentable oligo-, di-, mono-saccharides and polyols (FODMAP) fruits (38%), and water (38%). Runners with reflux chose water (51%), grains containing gluten (37%), and eggs (31%). In conclusion, while many runners with IBS/IBD and reflux are avoiding trigger foods in their pre-race meals, they are also consuming potentially aggravating foods, suggesting nutrition advice may be warranted. |
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Keywords: | runners inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) heartburn/reflux dietary restrictions dietary patterns exercise-induced gastrointestinal symptoms runner’ s gut |
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