AHS18

The athlete’s gut is 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 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 foods and macronutrient balances can cause GI distress in athletes both during and outside of training. The ancestral athlete wishing to perform in a modern sport also tends to under-eat due to reduced energy density in their food, with a number of downstream negative effects. The underlying physiology, and strategies to optimise health and performance, will be presented.