ABSTRACT
The gastrointestinal tract is the path from mouth to anus also called the alimentary canal. It is important for the wrestler from the standpoint of digestion and absorption of food and water. Protein digestion begins in the stomach, and absorption of amino acids occurs in the small intestine. Carbohydrate digestion begins in the mouth with salivary amylase but bypasses digestion in the stomach and gets further digested and absorbed in the small intestine. Lipid digestion occurs primarily in the small intestine and the majority (about two-thirds) of the lipid is absorbed by the lymphatic system. Water and electrolyte absorption occur primarily in the small intestine while the large intestine is storage depot for waste but can absorb and secrete water out of and into the waste. Water and electrolyte losses from single athletic practice and two a days can be substantial and may not be able to replace in the hours prior to the next practice. Additionally, at higher exercise intensities, there are proportionally greater electrolyte losses than at lower intensities suggesting that high-intensity exercise promotes greater electrolyte losses than low-intensity exercise.
