Recreational Runners' Sense of Smell and Taste After a Race: On the Acute Impact of Endurance Running on Chemosensory Perception

Several studies suggest that endurance exercise can directly enhance chemosensory functions. There already is empirical evidence indicating that frequent physical exercise may enhance (or maintain) taste and smell function. The central aim of the current study was to further examine the acute effects of endurance running on taste and smell recognition in a sample of recreational runners. A total of 61 recreational runners were recruited via convenience sampling. Taste and smell recognition was tested once directly after a run (either 10 km or 21 km) and once at rest. Further, on both occasions, all participants rated sweet taste intensity and salty taste intensity as well as their liking for both sweet and salty taste. After running, sweet taste recognition was poorer than at rest. Relative to sweet taste, salty taste intensity was significantly increased after running. Smell identification did not differ between rest and after the run.