Pooping for the win
In endurance events, it is not uncommon for elite athletes, some because of diets, body structure and training methods, to experience gastrointestinal problems that can lead to involuntary evacuation of gut contents during competition. Marathoners and professional cyclists, although not all, have these episodes.
They can be the fittest of the fit, but incontinence strikes in the middle of competition. Dr. Dana Zalkin, a gastroenterologist and a professor of medicine, explained why.
Endurance athletes’ bodies are designed for optimum performance, but our digestive system is not built to function under extreme stress. The physiological response to maximized exertion temporarily disrupts digestive functions and blood flow which often results in involuntary pooping.
When an endurance athlete maximizes exertion, 80% of oxygen flow is prioritized for the heart and muscles. Blood flow to the digestive system becomes limited which in turn weakens the intestinal barrier (a multi-layered structure that protects gut health) and slows digestion. The temporary stoppage causes nausea, abdominal cramps and the sudden urge to poop.
During marathons, the repetitive impact of the feet striking the ground sends shockwaves to the body. We all had tried a bit of running and we felt some kind of splashing inside our tummies. Those are our intestines rubbing against the intestinal wall. It irritates the gut lining which then hastens waste movement towards the rectum.
The combination of reduced blood flow and constant jarring motions leads to an unavoidable spurt of the moment thing. Dehydration and diet can also be a factor, like carbo-loading, ingesting concentrated sugars, fibers and fat.
As per studies, between 30% to 90% of endurance athletes experience gastrointestinal troubles, with rates higher among long distance runners, triathletes and pro cyclists.
Hyrox is an indoor fitness competition usually hosted in exhibition halls and convention centers that combines running with functional specialized exercise stations. Participants run a kilometer, do a set on the exercise station and repeat the sequence eight times. The event blends high intensity cardio and strength-based exercises to create total body performance.
A recent Hyrox event in Beijing, China had a female athlete experience this episode, but despite distributing her fecal matter on the course and on the exercise equipment, organizers allowed her to continue and eventually pooped all the way to victory. It was reported that the day before the event, she enjoyed some Chinese street food.
- Latest
