Why intense exercise makes you want to poop

Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox

Consuming a heavy meal before high-intensity exercise may trigger the urge to poop.

Consuming a heavy meal before high-intensity exercise may trigger the urge to poop.

PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK

  • Doctors say long, hard workouts cut blood flow to digestion and can cause diarrhoea, cramps, nausea and sudden urges to poop.
  • Running and high-impact sports are most likely to cause problems.
  • Athletes should test food and drink plans in training, eat early and manage stress.

AI generated

SINGAPORE – Have you ever been hit with the urge to poop during an intense workout? Australian athlete Joanna Wietrzyk had faecal incontinence during a Hyrox competition in Beijing in September, soiling herself at the indoor fitness race.

In 2005, British runner Paula Radcliffe took a toilet break by the side of the road, 8km before the finish line of the London Marathon. She won the race, nevertheless.

See more on