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Cited by 121Celiac Disease Research and ManagementNutrition, Health and Food BehaviorFood composition and properties

Exploring the popularity, experiences, and beliefs surrounding gluten-free diets in Nonceliac athletes

Lis, Dana M., Stellingwerff, Trent, Shing, Cecilia M., Ahuja, Kiran D.K., Fell, James W.·2015·International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism
DOI 10.1123/ijsnem.2013-0247
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Abstract

Adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD) for nonceliac athletes (NCA) has become increasingly popular despite a paucity of supportive medical or ergogenic evidence. This study aimed to quantify the demographics of NCA and determine associated experiences, perceptions, and sources of information related to GFD. Athletes (n = 910, female = 528, no gender selected = 5) completed a 17-question online survey. Forty-one percent of NCA respondents, including 18-world and/or Olympic medalists, follow a GFD 50-100% of the time (GFD > 50): only 13% for treatment of reported medical conditions with 57% self-diagnosing their gluten sensitivity. The GFD > 50 group characteristics included predominantly endurance sport athletes (70.0%) at the recreationally competitive level (32.3%), between 31 and 40 years of age (29.1%). Those who follow a GFD > 50 reported experiencing, abdominal/gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms alone (16.7%) or in conjunction with two (30.7%) or three (35.7%) additional symptoms (e.g., fatigue) believed to be triggered by gluten. Eighty-four percent of GFD > 50 indicated symptom improvement with gluten-removal. Symptom-based and non-symptom-based self-diagnosed gluten-sensitivity (56.7%) was the primary reason for adopting a GFD. Leading sources of GFD information were online (28.7%), trainer/coach (26.2%) and other athletes (17.4%). Although 5-10% of the general population is estimated to benefit clinically from a GFD a higher prevalence of GFD adherence was found in NCA (41.2%). Prescription of a GFD among many athletes does not result from evidence-based practice suggesting that adoption of a GFD in the majority of cases was not based on medical rationale and may be driven by perception that gluten removal provides health benefits and an ergogenic edge in NCA.

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Authors
Lis, D. M., Stellingwerff, T., Shing, C. M., Ahuja, K. D. K., & Fell, J. W.
Affiliations
University of Tasmania (AU)
ORCID
Venue
International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism
Publisher
Human Kinetics
Published
2015-02
Volume
25
Issue
1
Pages
37-45
ISSN
  • 1526-484X (ISSN-L)
  • 1543-2742
DOI
10.1123/ijsnem.2013-0247
OpenAlex
W2118563410
Cited by
121
References
24
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 20 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 6
FWCI
8.03
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • eCite Digital Repository (University of Tasmania) (acceptedVersion)
  • eCite Digital Repository (University of Tasmania) (submittedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Gastroenterology › Celiac Disease Research and Management
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Food composition and properties
Keywords
gluten-free diet, dietary adherence, gluten sensitivity, self-diagnosis, gastrointestinal symptoms, endurance athletes, ergogenic effects, food beliefs, elite athletes
MeSH terms
Celiac Disease, Consumer Behavior, Diet Surveys, Female, Humans, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Male, Self Care, Severity of Illness Index, Cohort Studies, Internet, Consumer Health Information, Athletic Performance, Diet, Gluten-Free, Athletes, Diagnostic Self Evaluation, Sports Nutritional Physiological Phenomena

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