Weight Loss Drugs and Running. What Coaches Should Know
Coach education resource

Weight Loss Drugs and Running. What Coaches Should Know

Educational guide for track and field coaches. This is not medical advice. Coaches should work with a sports doctor and accredited dietitian when athletes use these medicines.

Presentation

Video for coaches. Focus on practical implications, not clinical decision making.

1. Overview and context

Many runners now use GLP‑1 or related medicines for diabetes or weight management. Coaches may encounter athletes who are prescribed these medicines, as well as recreational runners who access them privately. Your role is to observe, educate, and collaborate with health professionals.

Coach role and scope
  • Set expectations on training, fueling, and reporting of symptoms.
  • Encourage medical oversight and clear documentation of dose and timing.
  • Notice red flags such as persistent nausea, low energy, or recurrent illness.
Common reasons athletes use these medicines
  • Type 2 diabetes care or pre diabetes risk.
  • Obesity treatment or body composition goals.
  • Emerging indications such as PCOS in some settings.

2. How these medicines work

GLP‑1 receptor agonists increase satiety, slow gastric emptying, and assist regulation of blood glucose. Newer dual agents also target GIP. Longer half life formulations make weekly dosing possible.

What coaches should translate for athletes
  • Fullness will come sooner. Eating enough can become hard on busy training days.
  • Stomach emptying is slower. Pre session timing matters for tolerance.
  • Blood glucose may dip. Plan sensible carbohydrate availability for longer sessions.
Dose timing and training

Align harder sessions with periods of lower nausea. If dose day causes symptoms, shift demanding work to the following day where possible. Always coordinate with the prescribing clinician.

3. Coaching implications

Fueling for training and events
  • Many runners struggle to reach carbohydrate targets for long sessions. Start with conservative goals and practise fueling in key long runs.
  • Use lower fibre and lower fat choices before races to improve tolerance.
  • Practise race morning routines on long run days. Rehearse breakfast, warm up, and in session fueling.
Strength and muscle preservation
  • Progressive strength twice per week helps maintain lean mass during weight loss phases.
  • Aim for adequate protein across the day. Pair protein with strength work and key run sessions.
Programming by time rather than distance

For events longer than two hours, build plans around time in zone. Adjust long run fueling practice to match expected race duration, not just kilometres.

4. Risks, side effects, and monitoring

Common side effects to watch
  • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea during higher loads or events.
  • Low energy availability due to reduced appetite.
  • Signs of hypoglycaemia during long sessions. Plan carbohydrate and carry simple options.
Simple monitoring ideas for coaches
  • Short weekly check in on appetite, nausea, session completion, and mood.
  • Encourage regular blood tests through a doctor where clinically indicated.
  • Keep a private log of dose dates, session responses, and any GI symptoms reported by the athlete.

5. Anti doping and ethics

At present, GLP‑1 agents are monitored in sport, not banned. Coaches should emphasise health first decisions, medical oversight, and fair play. Policies can change, so encourage athletes to check the current status with the relevant anti doping authority.

Team process
  • Ask athletes to disclose any prescription medicine confidentially.
  • Refer to sports physician and accredited dietitian for integrated care.
  • Document agreed training and fueling adjustments.

6. Evidence informed recommendations

Fueling targets by event length
  • For sessions up to 60 minutes use water or a light carbohydrate rinse if preferred.
  • For 60 to 150 minutes aim for 30 to 60 grams of carbohydrate per hour. Practise this in long runs.
  • For more than 150 minutes progress toward 60 to 90 grams per hour using mixed glucose and fructose sources where tolerated.
  • Use low fibre and low fat pre session choices and allow more time between meal and run due to slower stomach emptying.
Protein and muscle preservation
  • Include two strength sessions per week where possible to help retain lean mass during weight loss phases.
  • Distribute protein across the day. Many athletes do well with 0.3 grams per kilogram in 3 to 4 meals or snacks.
Managing GI symptoms and hypoglycaemia risk
  • Shift key quality sessions away from dose day if nausea is common.
  • Carry simple carbohydrate options during long runs. Agree a simple protocol if early symptoms occur.
  • Practise race day breakfast timing and texture to find the most tolerable options.
Team process and governance
  • Confirm medical oversight and keep private notes on dose timing, session responses, and reported symptoms.
  • Check anti doping status before key meets. GLP 1 agents are currently monitored rather than banned but policies can change.

7. Further reading

Peer reviewed and institutional sources

Event type callouts

Below are brief event specific considerations for athletics coaches. Each provides context and a link to cue cards you can download for practical use during training or workshops.

Marathon and road events
  • Emphasise long run fueling practice. Encourage athletes on GLP‑1 medicines to test breakfast timing and gel frequency well before race week.
  • Monitor hydration closely in warm conditions. Slower gastric emptying may alter tolerance of high volume fluid intake.
  • Promote strength maintenance through weekly resistance training, as prolonged weight loss can reduce muscle mass.
10 km and half marathon
  • Practise pre event meals at race pace training. Allow 3–4 hours after eating before racing to limit GI upset.
  • For 10 km events, simple carbohydrate rinses or small intakes may suffice. Half marathoners may benefit from small mid race intakes if tolerated.
  • Rehearse dose timing to avoid overlap with race day whenever possible.
5 km and track distance
  • Most GLP‑1 side effects are minimal over short duration events, yet athletes may still under fuel if appetite is reduced across the week.
  • Encourage regular post training meals rich in carbohydrate and protein to aid recovery and lean mass preservation.
  • Remind athletes that consistency of nutrition habits matters more than event day intake for these distances.
Ultra and trail endurance
  • Fueling and hydration complexity increases exponentially. Extended events require planned carbohydrate diversity (liquid, gels, soft solids) to mitigate satiety challenges.
  • Trial multiple small intakes every 20–30 minutes rather than large single servings to improve tolerance.
  • Work with medical staff to manage dose timing and monitor for prolonged low energy availability.

Important

This guide is for education. It is not medical advice. Athletes should not start, stop, or change any medicine without consulting a qualified doctor.

Coach self reflection

Use this to reflect on your coaching approach. Scores save in your browser. Export a CSV plan for later review.

Quick prompts
  • How will I adapt long run fueling practice for athletes with reduced appetite?
  • What changes will I make to dose day training?
  • How will I protect lean mass through strength and protein timing?

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