Gastrointestinal function following endurance exercise under different environmental temperatures

Purpose We determined the effects of different environmental temperatures on exercise-induced gastrointestinal (GI) damage and delayed gastric emptying (GE) rate. Methods Eleven trained males completed three trials on different days, consisting of (1) exercise in a thermoneutral environment (CON, 23 °C), (2) exercise in a hot environment (HOT, 35 °C), and (3) exercise in a cold environment (COLD, 10 °C). The subjects performed high-intensity interval-type endurance exercises in all trials. Blood intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) levels was determine before and after exercise. We evaluated T max (time when the 13 C-excretion/h reached a maximum level) as an indication of the GE rate during post-exercise. Results Rectal temperature during exercise was significantly higher ( P