Hyrox, the worldβs fastest-growing sport, made worldwide headlines this week for all the wrong reasons. At the centre of the media storm was Australian athlete Joanna Wietrzyk, who continued to compete in the indoor fitness race in Beijing on September 12 β going on to win β after soiling herself.
Videos of the world record holder using communal equipment, including sandbags and kettlebells, while excrement is visible on her legs and arms, have gone viral, sparking debate about health and safety standards and athlete responsibility.
On social media, many people raised their concerns, labelling the athlete βselfishβ and citing the hypocrisy of Hyroxβs no-spitting or nostril-clearing policy.
Hyrox co-founder Moritz FΓΌrste issued an apology to participants in an Instagram post on Monday, admitting the company made a mistake by allowing Wietrzyk to continue competing in the race.
βI apologise to all who were directly or indirectly affected, as well as to everyone who felt like we did not handle the situation as we should have.
βHyrox made a mistake by not reacting immediately during the race. In the end, it is my job to foresee these potential incidents β and I did not.β
Hyrox has now updated its rules to, as FΓΌrste puts it, βprevent situations like this from happening againβ. However, some people β including Wietrzyk, who posted βa win is a winβ in a now-deleted Instagram post β see the incident differently.
Li Hongxin, associate professor of sports management at Chinaβs Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, said athletes should not be criticised or judged for experiencing a physiological problem. βI think her determination and sportsmanship are very understandable,β he said.
In reality, for many athletes, this βphysiological problemβ is common. British athlete Paula Radcliffe won the 2005 London marathon after being forced to relieve herself by the side of the road in full view of cameras, and a recent study found that up to 96 per cent of ultramarathon runners experience gastrointestinal distress.
Two of the components of this gastrointestinal distress β the urge to defecate, and diarrhoea β are often referred to informally as βrunnerβs trotsβ and can occur immediately before, during or shortly after running or other exhaustive exercise, says Dr Vini Cruzat, a lecturer in food, nutrition and dietetics at La Trobe University.
βIn the scientific literature, it is more commonly referred to as runnerβs diarrhoea or exercise-induced diarrhoea, and it falls within the broader category of exercise-associated gastrointestinal symptoms.β
Why can this happen during exercise?
While the name is associated with running, runnerβs trots can occur in many other sports, particularly during prolonged and/or high-intensity exercise.
βExamples include cycling and triathlon, but gastrointestinal symptoms can also occur during other strenuous forms of exercise, including weightlifting and powerlifting,β Cruzat says.
In running, the repetitive impact creates mechanical movement of the gastrointestinal tract, which may contribute to bowel urgency and changes in bowel function. At the same time, strenuous exercise redirects blood flow away from the gastrointestinal tract towards the working muscles and towards the skin to help regulate body temperature.
βThis reduction in blood flow to the gut can affect normal intestinal function, including intestinal integrity, absorption and motility,β says Cruzat. βAgain, these physiological changes are not unique to runners, which is why gastrointestinal symptoms can occur during many forms of prolonged or strenuous exercise.β
Another factor is the activation of the sympathetic nervous system during strenuous exercise.
βThis may partly explain why some athletes experience bowel urgency even before exercise begins,β says Cruzat.
While common, symptoms vary widely, and some people appear much more susceptible than others.
βAn individualβs gut sensitivity and function, training status, diet, hydration, psychological stress or anxiety, and in women potentially hormonal fluctuations across the menstrual cycle, can all contribute to the issue,β Cruzat says.
What can be done to prevent it?
Unfortunately, no single strategy can completely prevent the issue, as the causes are multifactorial and vary between individuals. However, Cruzat outlines steps that may reduce the risk.
Train your gut
βResearch shows that the gastrointestinal system can actually be trained,β Cruzat says. βRepeatedly practising the intake of carbohydrate, food and fluids during training can improve the gutβs tolerance and its ability to absorb nutrients, potentially reducing gastrointestinal discomfort and symptoms during competition.β
Consider the type, amount and timing of food and fluid
βAthletes who are susceptible may benefit from avoiding very large meals close to exercise and being careful with foods particularly high in fat, fibre or other poorly tolerated components before competition,β says Cruzat.
Stay hydrated
This is especially important during prolonged exercise and in hot conditions, but both inadequate and excessive fluid intake should be avoided. Balance is key.
Seek professional advice
βAthletes who repeatedly experience severe gastrointestinal symptoms should also seek assessment from an appropriately qualified health professional rather than simply accepting them as a normal part of exercise,β Cruzat says.
βA qualified dietitian or nutritionist specialising in sports nutrition is best placed to help athletes individualise these strategies, identify potential dietary triggers, and optimise nutrition and hydration while reducing the risk of gastrointestinal symptoms.β
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