The gut of an athlete provides them with a double-edged sword; while regular training appears to provide a number of potentially beneficial changes to the gut microbiota (and overall health), gastrointestinal (GI) distress and issues with fuelling (both during and around training) are also some of the commonest problems associated with athletic performance. Traditional recommendations for athletes, especially endurance athletes, include a diet enriched with refined carbohydrates and prolonged periods training at a high percentage of VO2Max.
However, both of these can be associated with negative effects on both the gut and overall performance. Additionally, a number of different food types can cause GI distress in athletes both during and outside of training. In athletes who prescribe to a certain whole-foods-based diet (i.e. plant-based, paleo, primal, low carbohydrate), under-eating (resulting in a detrimental energy deficit) is also common, with a number of downstream negative effects.
In this presentation, I will discuss
- The effects of exercise on the gut
- How “traditional” training and fuelling methods may be detrimental to both health and overall performance
- Alternative training and fuelling strategies
- How athletes and coaches can navigate different dietary requirements and preferences
- Case studies to highlight important practice points
