Frequency of FODMAP-rich products consumption and irritable bowel syndrome-like symptoms among amateur runners.

BACKGROUND/

OBJECTIVES

Running may cause gastrointestinal symptoms resembling irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). One promising and widely studied tool to alleviate these symptoms is a diet restricting fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAP). The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between the frequency of consumption of foods high in FODMAPs and the frequency of IBS-like symptoms among recreational runners.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The study included 153 recreational runners (81 women and 72 men) with a mean age of 37.8 ± 11 years. Most participants reported completing 3-4 training sessions per week (54.90%) and running 20-40 km per week (37.25%). Training intensity was not objectively assessed. Data were collected using the Computer-Assisted Web Interview method, a standardized questionnaire to assess the frequency of IBS-like symptoms, a proprietary questionnaire to assess behavioral and training factors, and food frequency questionnaire to assess the frequency of consumption of FODMAP-containing products.

RESULTS

Women scored significantly higher than men on the IBS symptom questionnaire (13.11 ± 4.82 vs. 10.71 ± 4.47; p = 0.002). Symptoms suggestive of IBS were observed more frequently among women than men (45.68% vs. 23.61%; p = 0.005). Gastrointestinal symptoms occurring during training were reported by 18.95% of all participants and were more frequent among men than women (26.39% vs. 12.35%), while post-training symptoms were reported by 12.42% of participants and were also more frequent among men than women (15.28% vs. 9.88%; overall p = 0.01). No statistically significant correlations were observed between the total FODMAP consumption frequency score and the IBS questionnaire score (r = 0.03; p = 0.76) or IBS questionnaire interpretation (r = -0.01; p = 0.89).

CONCLUSION

No significant association was observed between the frequency of consumption of FODMAP-containing products and IBS-like symptoms in this sample of amateur runners. The observed differences in symptom severity and the characteristics of training activity suggest that individual factors and gastrointestinal adaptation may play a role in the experience of symptoms. These results provide a starting point for further research that could more precisely determine the mechanisms influencing the occurrence of IBS symptoms in physically active individuals.