Abstract des Autors

Gastrointestinal symptoms like belching, heartburn, nausea, vomiting and, above all, abdominal cramps, the urge to have bowel movement and diarrhoea are rather common in both elite and recreational athletes. Occult gastrointestinal haemorrhage is also quite frequent. Long-distance runners, participants in multisport events, women, young and not well-trained runners show the highest prevalence of exercise-induced gastrointestinal complaints; the prevalence increases with exercise intensity. The above mentioned symptoms are mainly due to changes in gastrointestinal mobility and secretion, as well as alterations of the intestinal absorption rate. Such features, in turn, result from the stimulation of the sympathetic, vagal, endorphin and prostaglandin systems, the secretion of gastroenteric and pancreatic hormones, and the adaptive haemodynamic and metabolic mechanisms entrained by exertion. According to the exercise intensity, opposite effects on gastrointestinal functions may be recorded. Mesenteric ischaemia likely plays a central role in the development of gastric and colonic mucosal damage responsible for bleeding. An adequate training program can reduce both the frequency and intensity of symptoms; the pre- and intra-race pharmacological inhibition of gastric secretion can decrease the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. Verf.-Referat