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Current Pharmaceutical Design

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1381-6128
ISSN (Online): 1873-4286

Review Article

Exploiting Significance of Physical Exercise in Prevention of Gastrointestinal Disorders

Author(s): Jan Bilski, Agnieszka Mazur-Bialy, Marcin Magierowski, Slawomir Kwiecien, Dagmara Wojcik, Agata Ptak-Belowska, Marcin Surmiak, Aneta Targosz, Katarzyna Magierowska and Tomasz Brzozowski*

Volume 24, Issue 18, 2018

Page: [1916 - 1925] Pages: 10

DOI: 10.2174/1381612824666180522103759

Price: $65

Abstract

Background: Physical activity can be involved in the prevention of gastrointestinal (GI)-tract diseases, however, the results regarding the volume and the intensity of exercise considered as beneficial for protection of gastrointestinal organs are conflicting.

Aims and Methods: The main objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive and updated overview on the beneficial and harmful effects of physical activity on the gastrointestinal tract. We attempted to discuss recent evidence regarding the association between different modes and intensity levels of exercise and physiological functions of the gut and gut pathology.

Results: The regular, moderate exercise can exert a beneficial effect on GI-tract disorders such as reflux esophagitis, peptic ulcers, cholelithiasis, constipation and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) leading to the attenuation of the symptoms. This voluntary exercise has been shown to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. On the other hand, there is considerable evidence that the high-intensity training or prolonged endurance training can exert a negative influence on GI-tract resulting in the exacerbation of symptoms.

Conclusion: Physical activity can exhibit a beneficial effect on a variety of gastrointestinal diseases, however, this effect depends upon the exercise mode, duration and intensity. The accumulated evidence indicate that management of gastrointestinal problems and their relief by the exercise seems to be complicated and require adjustments of physical activity training, dietary measures and medical monitoring of symptoms. More experimental and clinical studies on the effects of physical activity on GI-tract disorders are warranted. Especially, the association between the exercise intensity and data addressing the underlying mechanism(s) of the exercise as the complementary therapy in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, require further determination in animal models and humans.

Keywords: Gastrointestinal tract, physical activity, voluntary exercise, forced endurance training, myokines, benefits, hazards.


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