LifestyleThe GuardianThere’s a long history of athletes pooing themselves mid-race – why, and how can you avoid it?
Australian Hyrox athlete Joanna Wietrzyk won her race in Beijing but sparked controversy after suffering runner's diarrhoea mid-event, shining a light on how common the condition is.
Since the ancient Olympics, athletes like Hyrox competitor Joanna Wietrzyk have experienced runner’s diarrhoea. What does the science say about extreme exercise’s ‘mechanical jostling of the intestines’? Soiling yourself in public sounds like a bad dream. But the Australian athlete Joanna Wietrzyk h
Australian athlete Joanna Wietrzyk won the Hyrox fitness race in Beijing but apologised after suffering visible runner's diarrhoea while using communal equipment mid-race.
A Monash University PhD candidate says about 60% of endurance athletes experience gastrointestinal symptoms during competition, with some estimates as high as 90%.
Experts say high-intensity events like marathons and Hyrox create ideal conditions for gut distress, and the condition has affected elite athletes including Paula Radcliffe and Taylor Knibb.
A Monash University researcher says up to 90% of endurance athletes get gut symptoms, so if you run long distances, avoiding high-fibre or fatty foods the night before may help.
More from Cuppa
Human brain is two separate organs, new Stanford research findsStanford researchers found the human brain is actually two ancient nervous systems joined together, which could help treat diseases like ALS and SMA.
Russian hybrid attacks against Europe intensifying, says MacronFrench President Macron says Russia's hybrid attacks on Europe have intensified and France will not be intimidated, ordering protection of critical infrastructure.
Scientists discover cells that cheat death and rebuild damaged tissueScientists have found that some cells can survive the process of programmed death and then help rebuild damaged tissue, which could aid cancer research.
Lindsay Clancy holdout juror had no doubt she deliberately killed her childrenThe lone holdout juror in the Lindsay Clancy mistrial says he had no doubt she deliberately killed her three children and planned it.
Researchers find genetic answer to lung cancer in those who never smokedScientists have found a rare inherited gene mutation that raises lung cancer risk 25-fold, even in people who have never smoked, which could change how screening is done.
Almost 200% surge in Australians house hunting in NZ - new figuresAustralian searches for New Zealand property jumped 190% in August after the Australian government scrapped key property tax breaks for investors.
‘Clear retribution’: dismay as key Alzheimer’s study cancelled amid Trump attacks on scienceThe Trump administration has cancelled a 15-year Alzheimer's research study in Pittsburgh, meaning around 600 participants may never receive their cognitive test results.
Warren Buffett steps down as Berkshire Hathaway chairmanWarren Buffett has stepped down as Berkshire Hathaway chairman after more than 50 years, with his son Howard taking over the role immediately.