Dietary and non‐dietary correlates of gastrointestinal distress during the cycle and run of a triathlon

Fifty-three triathletes reported a significant association between a history of gastrointestinal distress and symptoms during a 70.3-mile triathlon (ρ = .32-.36; P < .05).

• Morning kilocalorie intake was positively associated with upper gastrointestinal symptoms during the cycling segment (ρ = .28, P = .04).
• Carbohydrate intake on race morning showed a stronger positive association with upper gastrointestinal symptoms during the cycle (ρ = .36, P < .01).
• Caffeine intake on race morning was modestly positively associated with lower gastrointestinal symptoms during the run (ρ = .30, P = .03).
• Associations between dietary factors and gastrointestinal distress remained significant even when accounting for non-dietary factors.

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