Abstract
Fecal bile acid concentration, fecal characteristics, bowel habits and habitual food
intake were measured in male distance runners (n = 14) and sedentary men (n=14). Fecal
bile acid concentration was significantly (p < 0.05) lower and stool weight, frequency
of defecation and daily intake of fibre, carbohydrate, and protein were significantly
(p < 0.01) higher in the runners. After adjustment for differences in dietary fibre
intake, fecal bile acid concentration was no longer significantly different between
the distance runners and the sedentary men, but frequency of defecation remained significantly
(p < 0.05) higher in the runners. This study has identified lower fecal bile acid
concentration in distance runners, which was probably due mainly to dilution of colon
contents by higher consumption of dietary fibre. These findings may be relevant to
the reduced incidence of colon cancer in physically active subjects.
Key words
Runners - fecal bile acids - diet
