Gastrointestinal Cell Injury and Percieved Symptoms after Running the Boston Marathon

Authors

Malone T. Levanger, Utah Valley UniversityFollow
Melani R. Kelly, Utah Valley UniversityFollow
Dawn M. Emerson, University of South CarolinaFollow
Brendon P. McDermott, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow
Whitley C. Atkins, Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TXFollow
Cory L. Butts, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow
R Mark Laursen, Boston UniversityFollow
Christopher TroyanosFollow
Andrew Duckett, Boston UniversityFollow
Jacob A. Siedlik, Creighton UniversityFollow

Abstract

Gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances are a prevalent cause of marathon related complaints, and in extreme cases can promote life-threatening conditions such as exertional heat stroke. PURPOSE: Our aim was to study intestinal cell injury (via intestinal fatty acid binding protein [I-FABP]) and perceived GI distress symptoms among marathon runners. Potential risk factors (e.g., inadequate sleep) that could exacerbate GI disturbances in healthy, trained endurance runners were also examined. METHODS: A parallel mixed-methods study design was utilized. 2019 Boston Marathon participants were recruited via email. Before the race subjects completed surveys describing demographics and training history. Immediately pre-race, post-race, and 24-hours post-race participants completed a GI questionnaire to assess presence and severity of symptoms, a survey regarding risk factors (e.g., recent illness, medications) that could promote GI disturbances, and provided a urine sample. Due to weather, blood samples were only collected immediately and 24-hours post-race. RESULTS: A total of 40 runners (males: n = 19, age = 44.9 ± 10.8 years; females: n = 21, age = 44.8 ± 10.6 years) completed this study. I-FABP significantly decreased from post-race (3367.5 ± 2633.5 pg/ml) to 24-hours post-race (1657.3 ± 950.7 pg/ml, t(39) = -4.228, p < .001, d = -.669). A significant difference in overall GI symptom scores across the three time points occurred (F(2, 39) = 41.37, p < .001). Compared to pre-race (.09 ± .12) and 24-hour post-race (.44 ± .28), the highest average score occurred post-race (.84 ± .68). Post-race I-FABP (r = .31, p = .048) and post-race urine specific gravity (r = .33, p = .041) were significantly correlated with post-race GI symptom scores. CONCLUSION: Our study further supports the individualized presentation of GI disturbances, with participants experiencing a wide range of risk factors that can influence the extent of GI damage and perceived symptoms during and after exercise.

Recommended Citation

Levanger, Malone T.; Kelly, Melani R.; Emerson, Dawn M.; McDermott, Brendon P.; Atkins, Whitley C.; Butts, Cory L.; Laursen, R Mark; Troyanos, Christopher; Duckett, Andrew; and Siedlik, Jacob A. (2023) "Gastrointestinal Cell Injury and Percieved Symptoms after Running the Boston Marathon," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 14: Iss. 3, Article 44.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol14/iss3/44