an infrequent basis and must be in accordance
with the permitted list of IOC substances.
Conclusion
For the active athlete, the clinical consequences
of disturbed gastrointestinal tract function may
limit successful participation in athletic perfor-
mance. Furthermore, while attention to fluid and
carbohydrate ingestion is shown to enhance
exercise performance, gastrointestinal dysfunc-
tion can significantly limit the assimilation of
essential nutrients. An understanding of gas-
trointestinal function and the aetiology of gas-
trointestinal symptoms associated with exercise
is necessary for the design of appropriate supple-
mentation regimens. Athletes thereby benefit
from maximum rates of delivery of nutrients
with less risk of gastrointestinal distress.
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