Test-Retest Reliability of a Modified Visual Analog Scale Assessment Tool for Determining Incidence and Severity of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Response to Exercise Stress

• Published in: International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism 2019-07, Vol.29 (4), p.411–419-419
• Main Authors: Gaskell, Stephanie K, Snipe, Rhiannon M J, Costa, Ricardo J S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Dehydration; Dietary Carbohydrates - administration & dosage; Exercise; Exercise Test - methods; Female; Fructose - administration & dosage; Gastrointestinal Tract - physiopathology; Glucose - administration & dosage; Heat-Shock Response; Humans; Incidence; Male; Nausea; Reproducibility of Results; Running; Visual Analog Scale
• ISSN: 1526-484X; 1543-2742
• DOI: 10.1123/ijsnem.2018-0215

Considering the recent growth of exercise gastroenterology research focusing on exercise-induced gastrointestinal syndrome mechanisms, response magnitude, prevention and management strategies, the standardized assessment of gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) is warranted. The current methodological study aimed to test the reliability of a modified visual analog scale for assessing GIS during exercise, in response to a variety of exertional-stress scenarios, with and without dietary intervention. Recreational endurance runners (n = 31) performed one of the three exercise protocols, which included: 2-hr running at 70% in temperate (24.7 °C) ambient conditions, with fluid restriction; 2-hr running at 60% in hot (35.1 °C) ambient conditions, while consuming chilled water immediately before and every 15 min during exercise; and 2-hr running at 60% in temperate (23.0 °C) ambient conditions, while consuming 30 g/20 min carbohydrate (2∶1 glucose∶fructose, 10% temperate w/v), followed by a 1-hr distance test. GIS was monitored pre-exercise, periodically during exercise, and immediately postexercise. After wash out, participants were retested in mirrored conditions. No significant differences (p > .05) were identified between test-retest using Wilcoxon signed-rank test for all GIS (specific and categorized), within each exercise protocol and the combined protocols. Strong correlations were observed for gut discomfort, total GIS, upper GIS, and nausea (r  = .566 to r  = .686; p