b'TRAVELDepending on the level of competition, many athletes may be required to travel for competition. This can place strain on the athletes immune system by increasing exposure to foreign antigens or causing sleep disturbances. Athletes are at increased risk of contracting URTI or GI infections, as well as experiencing non-infectious GI symptoms. INCREASED RISK OF INFECTION ALTERED BOWEL MOVEMENTSUnfortunately, travellers diarrhoea is common withChanges in bowel habits are common with travel, due to international travel. When travelling for competition or events,dehydration, lack of movement, and alteration of the type, it is important to note the level of risk in the travel zone andtiming and volume of food intake, including fibre intake 19 . take on the necessary precautions. Travellers diarrhoea canSuch factors typically increase colonic transit time resulting in cause up to four days of incapacitation, significantly impairingconstipation. In such a case, constipation should be reported nutritional intake, affect training intensity post-infection andto the medical team, and dietary and medicinal interventions presents the risk of post-infection irritable bowel syndrome(i.e., laxatives) should not be implemented without dietetic or (IBS) 12,19 . medical supervision, respectively. Under dietetic supervision, foods and fluids may be used to provide relief for those with constipation.SLEEP DISTURBANCESIf travelling latitudinally, athletes will need to adjust their circadian rhythm. Altered circadian rhythm may present as disturbed sleep, in- or hypersomnia, as well as cognitive changes including decreased alertness, mood disturbances, and poor motivation. Appetite changes and GI distress may also occur. Researchers have observed changes in immune function associated with disrupted sleep patterns, possibly due to i) disturbances to hormone secretion, ii) general stress response, iii) cognitive reaction to loss of sleep 12,19 .Evidence taken from shift worker populations and those experiencing chronic jet lag has shown that sleep loss can also affect the composition of the microbiota. Sleep loss may induce dysbiosis through increased appetite, immune modulation or activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) and subsequent disruption of the intestinal barrier. The metabolites of bacteria that increase as a result of sleep loss may in turn lead to fatigue 20 .8'