Visceral sensitivity correlates with gastrointestinal symptoms in runners during training but does not negatively impact peri-exercise fueling

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.