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Chantler S, Wood-Martin R, Holliday A, Davison G, Crabtree DR, Readhead C, Jones B. The Frequency and Severity of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Rugby Players. Int J Sports Med 2024; 45:323-221. [PMID: 38272040 DOI: 10.1055/a-2206-4751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the self-reported frequency and severity of gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) at rest and around rugby training and match play in male and female rugby union players. An online questionnaire was sent to registered rugby union players (sevens or fifteens). Thirteen GIS were assessed alongside perceptions of appetite around rugby and rest using Likert and visual analog scales. Questions investigating a range of medical and dietary factors were included. Three hundred and twenty-five players (male n=271, female n=54) participated in the study. More frequent GIS (at least one GIS experienced weekly/more often) was reported by players at rest (n=203; 62%) compared to around rugby (n=154; 47%). The overall severity of GIS was low (mild discomfort), but a portion of players (33%) did report symptoms of moderate severity around rugby. Female players reported more frequent and severe symptoms compared to male counterparts (p<0.001). Self-reported appetite was significantly lower after matches compared to training. There were no dietary or medical factors associated with GIS severity scores. This study describes GIS characteristics in male and female rugby union players. Half of the players assessed experienced some form of GIS that may affect nutrition, training, or performance, and should thus be a consideration for practitioners supporting this cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Chantler
- Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | | | - Adrian Holliday
- Physiology, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Glen Davison
- Centre for Sports Studies, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Daniel R Crabtree
- The Rowett Institute, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Clint Readhead
- Head of Medical services, South African Rugby Union, Newlands, South Africa
| | - Ben Jones
- Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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Wilson PB, Fearn R, Pugh J. Occurrence and Impacts of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Team-Sport Athletes: A Preliminary Survey. Clin J Sport Med 2023; 33:239-245. [PMID: 36476634 DOI: 10.1097/jsm.0000000000001113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Although gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are prevalent in endurance athletes, scant research has examined GI symptoms in team-sport athletes, their impacts, and explanatory factors. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and severity of GI symptoms in team-sport athletes and identify potential risk factors. DESIGN An observational anonymous survey. SETTING Online. PARTICIPANTS Hundred forty-three athletes (79 men and 64 women) from team-based sports, with soccer, rugby, and American football athletes comprising approximately 75% of the sample. ASSESSMENTS OF RISK FACTORS Age, gender, body mass index, competition experience, trait anxiety, and resting GI symptoms. MAIN OUTCOMES Gastrointestinal symptoms during training and competition. RESULTS Overall, past-month GI symptoms during training and competition were mild and relatively infrequent. However, 13.9% and 37.5% of men and women, respectively, reported that GI symptoms had ever impacted their performance. In comparison to men, women reported that nausea, bloating, and abdominal cramping were more likely to have affected performance ( P < 0.05). Women also had higher trait anxiety and higher scores for resting GI symptoms, during-training GI symptoms, and during-competition GI symptoms ( P < 0.001). Resting GI symptoms were the strongest predictor of training and competition GI symptoms (ρ = 0.46-0.67), although trait anxiety was also consistently correlated with competition GI symptoms (ρ = 0.29-0.38). CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that female team-sport athletes experience a higher burden of GI symptoms than males, and that resting symptoms and anxiety predict competition symptoms. Interventions targeting anxiety could theoretically reduce GI symptoms in some team-sport athletes, but this should be confirmed through experimental designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick B Wilson
- Human Movement Sciences Department, Human Performance Laboratory, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia
| | - Robert Fearn
- Department of Gastroenterology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California; and
| | - Jamie Pugh
- Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Ehlert AM, Wilson PB. Visceral sensitivity correlates with gastrointestinal symptoms in runners during training but does not negatively impact peri-exercise fueling. Nutr Health 2023:2601060231153978. [PMID: 36721362 DOI: 10.1177/02601060231153978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to evaluate the associations between several psychological factors (stress, anxiety, body vigilance, and visceral sensitivity) and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in runners, as well as whether any of these factors impact pre-exercise and during-exercise fueling. METHODS A virtual/online observational survey-based study with 82 (43 male and 39 female) runners was conducted. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)-14, State-Trait Inventory for Cognitive and Somatic Anxiety (STICSA-Trait), Body Vigilance Scale (BVS), and Visceral Sensitivity Index (VSI) were assessed. GI symptoms during runs over 1 week, as well as nutrient intakes from food and fluid consumed 4 h before and during runs, were recorded. GI problems were quantified as the percentage of runs that a participant reported at least one symptom ≥ 3 out of 10. RESULTS VSI scores significantly correlated with the occurrence of all, upper, and lower GI symptoms during runs (ρ = 0.32-0.38; p < 0.003), and these associations remained significant in partial correlation analyses. No significant associations were observed between GI symptom occurrence and scores on the BVS, PSS-14, or STICSA-Trait. In a subset of 72 runners with available nutrition data, intakes of energy, macronutrients, fluid, and caffeine before and during runs did not seem to be lower in those who had higher PSS-14, STICSA-Trait, BVS, or VSI scores, which was contrary to what was hypothesized. CONCLUSIONS Runners' visceral sensitivity levels associate with GI symptoms during training over a week, but the impact of this and other psychological factors on nutritional intake is uncertain, particularly around competition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex M Ehlert
- Human Performance Laboratory, Human Movement Sciences Department, 6042Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Patrick B Wilson
- Human Performance Laboratory, Human Movement Sciences Department, 6042Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
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Kienast C, Biere K, Coker RH, Genov NN, Jörres M, Maggioni MA, Mascarell-Maricic L, Schalt A, Genov M, Gunga HC, Steinach M. Adiponectin, leptin, cortisol, neuropeptide Y and profile of mood states in athletes participating in an ultramarathon during winter: An observational study. Front Physiol 2022; 13:970016. [PMID: 36579027 PMCID: PMC9791263 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.970016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The Montane® Yukon Arctic Ultra (YAU) is one of the longest (690 km) and coldest (+10.6°C-43.9°C) ultramarathons worldwide. Taking part in an ultramarathon is associated with great physiological and psychological stress, which can affect one's mood, level of hormones, and peptides. The current study aimed to identify relationships between peptides, hormones, and mood states in participants during this ultramarathon. Methods: The study cohort consisted of 36 participants (19 men, 17 women, 38.64 ± 9.12 years) split into a finisher (n = 10), non-finisher (n = 19), and control group (n = 7). Data were collected at four time points: baseline (PRE), during (D1 after 277 km, D2 after 383 km), and after the race (POST). Questionnaires were used to assess ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), total quality of recovery (TQR), and profile of mood states (POMS-SF). Serum NPY, leptin, adiponectin, and cortisol were measured. Results: Among non-finishers, scores for confusion, anger, depression, and tension-anxiety (PRE vs. D2, p < 0.05) increased, while vigor decreased (PRE vs. D1, p < 0.05). In contrast, finishers' tension-anxiety scores decreased (PRE vs. D1, p < 0.05). Fatigue increased in finishers (PRE vs. POST, p < 0.05) and non-finishers (PRE vs. D1, p < 0.05). In non-finishers, depressive mood correlated positively with leptin, anger, and confusion at several time points (p < 0.001). In finishers, NPY correlated with TQR at PRE (p < 0.05), while leptin correlated negatively with TQR at POST (p < 0.05). Tension-anxiety correlated highly with perceived exertion in non-finishers (p < 0.001) and with cortisol in finishers (p < 0.05) and non-finishers (p < 0.001). In finishers, confusion correlated negatively with NPY (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The study reveals an essential interplay between hormones and mood states affecting performance: Leptin was associated with anger and a depressive mood state in non-finishers and worse recovery in finishers. In contrast, NPY appeared linked to a lower confusion score and heightened recovery in finishers. A simultaneous increase in depressed mood, anger, tension-anxiety, and confusion might harm performance and lead to race failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Kienast
- Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Physiology, Center for Space Medicine and Extreme Environments Berlin, Berlin, Germany,*Correspondence: Camilla Kienast,
| | - Katharina Biere
- Laboratory of Translational Research “Stress and Immunity”, Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Robert H. Coker
- Montana Center for Work Physiology and Exercise Metabolism, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, United States
| | | | - Marc Jörres
- Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Physiology, Center for Space Medicine and Extreme Environments Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martina Anna Maggioni
- Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Physiology, Center for Space Medicine and Extreme Environments Berlin, Berlin, Germany,Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Lea Mascarell-Maricic
- Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Berlin, Germany
| | - Adriane Schalt
- Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Physiology, Center for Space Medicine and Extreme Environments Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Magdalena Genov
- Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Physiology, Center for Space Medicine and Extreme Environments Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hanns-Christian Gunga
- Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Physiology, Center for Space Medicine and Extreme Environments Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mathias Steinach
- Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Physiology, Center for Space Medicine and Extreme Environments Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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