Causes of runner's diarrhea and dietary recommendations to avoid it - systematic review

JEDLINA, Klaudia, PACEK, Katarzyna, MAKOWSKA, Karolina, KAMIŃSKA, Izabela, PIKULICKA, Agata, SZULC, Izabela, SWACHA, Weronika, PIEKARSKA, Małgorzata, KASPERSKI, Radosław & RUSIN, Klaudia. Causes of runner’s diarrhea and dietary recommendations to avoid it - systematic review. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. 2023;34(1):11-21. eISSN 2391-8306. DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2023.34.01.001

https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/43719

https://zenodo.org/record/7977166

The journal has had 40 points in Ministry of Education and Science of Poland parametric evaluation. Annex to the announcement of the Minister of Education and Science of December 21, 2021. No. 32343.

Has a Journal's Unique Identifier: 201159. Scientific disciplines assigned: Physical Culture Sciences (Field of Medical sciences and health sciences); Health Sciences (Field of Medical Sciences and Health Sciences).

Punkty Ministerialne z 2019 - aktualny rok 40 punktów. Załącznik do komunikatu Ministra Edukacji i Nauki z dnia 21 grudnia 2021 r. Lp. 32343. Posiada Unikatowy Identyfikator Czasopisma: 201159.

Przypisane dyscypliny naukowe: Nauki o kulturze fizycznej (Dziedzina nauk medycznych i nauk o zdrowiu); Nauki o zdrowiu (Dziedzina nauk medycznych i nauk o zdrowiu).

© The Authors 2023;

This article is published with open access at Licensee Open Journal Systems of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland

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The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.

Received: 27.04.2023. Revised: 10.05.2023. Accepted: 27.05.2023. Published: 27.05.2023.

Causes of runner’s diarrhea and dietary recommendations to avoid it - systematic review

Klaudia Jedlina, Centralny Szpital Kliniczny MSWiA in Warsaw, ORCID: 0000-0002-2363-2620, klaudiajedlina@gmail.com

Katarzyna Pacek, Centralny Szpital Kliniczny MSWiA in Warsaw, ORCID: 0000-0001-6947-558X, kasia.pacek1@gmail.com

Karolina Makowska, Uniwersyteckie Centrum Kształcenia WUM in Warsaw, ORCID: 000-0001-5467-3137 makowska.karolinaa@gmail.com

Izabela Kamińska, Szpital Czerniakowski sp. z o. o. in Warsaw, ORCID: 0000-0002-5766-2262, izakam303@gmail.com

Agata Pikulicka, SZPITAL SOLEC in Warsaw, ORCID:0000-0003-1693-8127, agapikulicka@gmail.com

Izabela Szulc, Szpital Praski P.W. Przemienienia Pańskiego in Warsaw, ORCID: 0000-0002-2262-6886, izabelaszulc4@gmail.com

Weronika Swacha, Mazowieckie Centrum Stomatologii in Warsaw, ORICID: 0000-0002-1865-5967, weronka6@gmail.com

Małgorzata Piekarska, Wojewódzki Szpital Specjalistyczny im. Stefana Kardynała Wyszyńskiego SPZOZ in Lublin, ORCID: 0000-0001-5055-4923, piekarska13@gmail.com

Radosław Kasperski, Wojewódzki Szpital Specjalistyczny im. Stefana Kardynała Wyszyńskiego SPZOZ in Lublin, ORCID :0000-0002-7364-3205, r.kasperski95@gmail.com

Klaudia Rusin, Mazowieckie Centrum Stomatologii in Warsaw, ORCID: 0000-0001-8386-7053 klaudiarusin1911@gmail.com

Abstract

Complaints of diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms are common among endurance runners. These problems may interfere with athletic activities and be the main cause of underperformance during sports events. It is estimated that this difficulty affects 30 to 90 percent of long-distance runners. The most important pathophysiological factors affecting the occurrence of gastrointestinal symptoms are ischemia and mechanical damage to the intestines, as well as the secretion of neuroendocrine substances. The diet before physical exercise is also one of the most significant factors related to the appearance of gastrointestinal symptoms. Avoiding the intake of fat, caffeine, protein, fiber, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and dehydration before performance is one of the suggestions for preventing runner’s diarrhea. There are new recommendations for athletes, such as avoidance of fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs) and the intake of multiple transportable carbohydrates. It seems that a short-term gluten free diet has no effect on the performance of athletes but further research is needed.

Mechanisms of runner’s diarrhea are still poorly understood, so more research needs to be conducted to improve the recommendations to runners.

Key words: runner’s diarrhea, nutrition, diet, gastrointestinal problems