What is the relationship between the digestive system and long periods of heavy weight training?
The point of a weight training program is to put stress on specific muscle groups in order to increase their tone and mass. Physiologically speaking, weight training forces excess blood into the muscles which causes microscopic tears in the muscle tissue. As the muscles rebuild, they become stronger and larger. So, if weight training is done properly, the body is directing a large blood supply to the muscles. The digestive system is related in that it too, requires increased blood flow to function properly. When we eat, the process of digestion includes the mouth, stomach, and intestines, which all require extra blood flow during times of increased work load. During periods of heavy weight training, there is competition for blood flow between the muscles and the digestive system, especially if there’s food still working its way through the stomach or the intestines. Which system wins this battle for blood supply depends on which one has the heavier load. That’s why proper nutrition and
