Significance
Gastrointestinal symptoms that arise during or during high-intensity physical activity are exercise-induced gastrointestinal syndrome. Anxiety, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and stomach discomfort are frequent symptoms among endurance athletes and are said to afflict 30 to 90% of long-distance runners (Mathisen et al., 2020). Although the incidence and degree of FIGS in those who engage in moderate to hard activity, such as bodybuilders, have not been as well investigated as it has been in endurance athletes.
Hypothesis, Objective and Research Question
This study set out to assess the frequency and severity of gastrointestinal complaints in beginner bodybuilders engaging in moderate-to-intense activity, both at rest and during exercise. The hypothesis is that since they are not exercising as hard or for as long, these people could have moderate gastrointestinal problems, which are comparable to those experienced by endurance athletes but less severe. The question, thus, is whether there were differences in the frequency and severity of gastrointestinal symptoms between rest and exercise, as well as between moderate and strenuous activity, which may be connected to alterations in gastrointestinal motility.
Literature Review
Past Use
For the most part of a bodybuilder’s career, the objective is to maximize muscle mass while minimizing the accumulation of excess fat, and there is a dearth of scientific literature regarding dietary recommendations for bodybuilders during the off-season. Escalante et al. (2023) note the critical balance of protein, carbs, and fats for muscle repair and growth. Given that bodybuilders spend most of their time off-seasoning, guidelines for safe, scientifically supported nutrition and dietary supplements are obviously needed for this demographic.
Previous Studies
Bodybuilders think that boosting muscular glycogen reserves can enhance muscle growth and improve their look during competition, thus they apply a practice called carbohydrate loading before competition. The majority of research on carb loading has been done on endurance athletes, who undergo intense exercise sessions followed by 24-48 hours of higher carbohydrate intake to raise muscle glycogen stores above resting levels (Patel-Rodrigues et al., 2024). The impact of carbohydrate loading on muscular girth in bodybuilders was only studied in one research, and the authors chose not to disclose this resultâpossibly because the study’s isocaloric diet was employed. The assessment of this study was significantly influenced by these investigations.
Publish Work on Topic
In order to maximize the interactions between diet, exercise, and gut microbiota to support health and athletic performance, this review aims to synthesize research in the fields of nutrition, exercise, and gut microbiota. It does this by highlighting existing knowledge, identifying gaps in the literature, and suggesting future directions for research. Patel-Rodrigues et al. (2024) illustrate how dietary choices influence liver health, impacting overall athletic wellness. It offers a thorough analysis of the available data about how nutrition affects gut microbiota and how dietary modifications may affect gut microbiota composition and athletic performance.
The amount of health-promoting bacteria in the stomach did not significantly alter when a high-protein diet for bodybuilders combined with the required amount of fibre was examined. The study’s bodybuilders ingested more protein, but the amounts of certain helpful bacteria did not change much. The authors note that there is still much to learn about the link between food, exercise, and gut microbiota (Escalante et al., 2023). The effects of increased protein intake on the microbiome may have been mitigated by adequate intake of carbohydrates and fibre.
Methodology
The frequency and severity of gastrointestinal symptoms during exercise and during rest were evaluated using a cross-sectional approach. Depending on how hard they had trained, the participants were split into two groups: moderate and intensive. Trainers at participating gyms confirmed the classification of training intensity, which was based on self-reports of training techniques. The study may have limitations due to the use of self-reported data, which can be prone to memory bias, and a cross-sectional approach that restricts the capacity to make conclusions about causal relationships.
Future Use
In experimental studies, participants may undergo different type of interventions, such as supplementation periods or dietary modifications, with a randomized and matched-pairs design. Detailed diet reports that potentially may be recorded and analyzed using professional diet analysis software (Arslan et al., 2022). The methodology section will provide a clear and comprehensive description of the study design, participant selection criteria, data collection methods.
Tool Use
Participants may be required to complete questionnaires or rating scales to assess baseline gastrointestinal symptoms, such as the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale. Incremental exercise tests may be conducted to determine lactate threshold and peak oxygen uptake. These tools will be beneficial in assessing the conditions and possible interventions or treatments employed, ensuring that the research is replicable and adheres to ethical standards and other legal adjustments.
Type of Research
The research will incorporate both qualitative and quantitative methods to ensure comprehensive analysis. Qualitative research will be used as a foundation for laboratory trials and assessment. At the same time, surveys will be the basis for the recording, data collection, and analysis, allowing deeper comprehension. Additionally, quantitative measures will be implemented to statistically assess the prevalence and severity of gastrointestinal symptoms among bodybuilders. Thus, the qualitative approach would enrich the findings by capturing the bodybuilders’ subjective experiences, helping to identify potential psychological or lifestyle factors contributing to gastrointestinal distress. Moreover, qualitative data could inform the development of targeted interventions and support strategies.
X-Sectional
X-sectional research will be used if needed to make assessment of gastrointestinal symptoms at a certain point, if the prevalence will be assessed during a certain event. It enables to gather information on several variables at once, facilitating the analysis of correlations and interactions between different elements. This is especially helpful in determining possible risk factors or outcomes predictors for health and provide valuable insights into how exercise impacts gastrointestinal health.
Population and Sample
In this study, 100 would-be bodybuilders from nearby gyms and training centres, ranging in age from 18 to 35, participated. Participants must have engaged in moderate-to-intense physical activity on a regular basis for at least three months, but no more than two years. A history of gastrointestinal issues, the use of drugs that impair gastrointestinal motility, and the presence of any chronic conditions were all considered exclusion factors. Participants should be free of medications, nutritional supplements, and any history of gastrointestinal-related medical issues (e.g., irritable bowel syndrome or abdominal surgery).
Participants
Participants’ inclusion and exclusion criteria should be clearly defined. This may include declaration of gastrointestinal infections, diseases, disorders, past history of gastrointestinal surgery, and other self-reported gastrointestinal issues. Additionally, dietary intake of nutrients known to alter gastrointestinal tract integrity and function, such as fermentable oligo-, di-, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP), fiber, and/or macronutrient, nonnutritive nutritional supplements (e.g., prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, amino acids, and/or antioxidants), and/or pharmaceutical agents (e.g., nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, laxatives, antidiarrhea agents, antacids, and/or antiemetics) should be reported. The participants’ reported gastrointestinal condition lifespan, adherence time course of any altered dietary regime, nonnutritive supplement(s), and/or pharmaceutical agent(s) should also be documented, where applicable.
Conclusion
The prevalence and severity of gastrointestinal symptoms in novice bodybuilders during training remains an understudied area. The purpose of this study was to address this gap by assessing the frequency and intensity of gastrointestinal symptoms at rest and during exercise in this population. By examining the potential impact of exercise intensity on gastrointestinal motility and symptom expression, the findings may contribute to our understanding of exercise-induced gastrointestinal disorders and provide the basis for appropriate treatment strategies.
References
Arslan, M., Yabancı Ayhan, N., Sarıyer, E. T., Ăolak, H., & Ăevik, E. (2022). The effect of bigorexia nervosa on eating attitudes and physical activity: A study on university students. International Journal of Clinical Practice, 2022.
Escalante, G., Barakat, C., Tinsley, G. M., & Schoenfeld, B. J. (2023). Nutrition, training, supplementation, and performance-enhancing drug practices of male and female physique athletes peaking for competition. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 37(8), e444-e454.
Mathisen, T. F., Heia, J., RaustĂžl, M., Sandeggen, M., Fjellestad, I., & SundgotâBorgen, J. (2020). Physical health and symptoms of relative energy deficiency in female fitness athletes. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 30(1), 135-147.
Patel-Rodrigues, P. A., Cundra, L., Alhaqqan, D., Gildea, D. T., Woo, S. M., & Lewis, J. H. (2024). Herbal-and Dietary-Supplement-Induced Liver Injury: A Review of the Recent Literature. Livers, 4(1), 94-118.