Effect Of Core Strength Exercise On Colon Transit Time In Female University Students

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the benefit of core strength exercise (CSE) on colonic transit time (CTT) for female university students. METHODS: Eighty women were enrolled and randomly assigned to participate in a 12-week instructor-led group CSE program (exercise group; n = 40) or to maintain their ordinary daily activities (control group; n = 40). The final groups were composed of 27 participants (age: 22.9 years) in the exercise group and 21 participants (age: 22.9 years) in the control group (CG). The CSE program consisted of 60 minute sessions, two days a week for 12 weeks. Each session included a 10-minute warm-up, 40-minute core strengthening exercises, and 10-minute cool-down. Body composition, Trunk muscle power and endurance, physical fitness and CTT were measured twice before and twice after the exercise program. CTT was measured using a multiple marker technique with a radio-opaque marker. Data were analyzed with a 2-way, repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: After the 12-wk core exercise intervention, decreased intestinal transit time was observed in segment CTT of the exercise group, including the right CTT (exercise: 9.0 ± 1.8 vs 6.4 ± 1.5, control: 5.3 ± 1.3 vs 6.5 ± 1.5), left CTT (exercise: 10.9 ± 2.0 vs 6.9 ± 1.8, control: 10.6 ± 2.3 vs 8.7 ± 1.5), recto-sigmoid CTT (exercise: 17.4 ± 2.9 vs 12.1 ± 2.0, control: 8.7 ± 2.3 vs 11.9 ± 2.8), and total colonic transit time (TCTT) (exercise: 37.5 ± 4.4 vs 25.5 ± 3.8, control: 24.7 ± 4.8 vs 27.2 ± 4.8). After the 12-wk core exercise period, LCTT (mean difference, -3.7 h; 95% confidence interval [CI], -6.9 to -0.6 h; P=0.02) and TCTT (mean difference, -9.4 h; 95% CI, -16.4 to -2.4 h; P=0.01) was significantly shortened within the exercise group in mean changes from baseline to 12wk follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The CTT was reduced due to increased physical activity via a 12-wk CSE program. In addition to eating habits, water intake, and fiber intake, the increased physical activity level as a result of the 12-wk CSE reduced the CTT. Further prospective studies will need to study the effects on CTT according to dose-response, type of exercise, and intensity.