THE ACUTE EXERCISE-INDUCED INFLAMMATORY RESPONSES IN GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS

Abstract

INTRODUCTION & AIMS Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), are characterised by intestinal inflammation that presents severe symptoms and continued complications throughout the lifespan. These gastrointestinal (GI) disorders have a growing prevalence worldwide with no known cure. Management strategies often require a ‘trial and error’ process before an effective pharmacal/s is established; the successful interim varies considerably with prevalent adverse side-effects and gradual decline in the effectiveness of medication. Accordingly, alternative mechanisms to complement management options, reduce side-effects, and improve well-being warrant investigation. Physical activity is known to be beneficial for a variety of inflammatory conditions; the advantageous effects are associated with the exercise-induced inflammatory response directly from active muscle tissue. Despite this knowledge, minimal studies have attempted to quantify the inflammatory effect of exercise. This study investigates the inflammatory response of acute exercise. METHODS Participants were allocated into one of two groups: GI disorders (IBD & IBS; n = 11) or apparently healthy control (AHC; n = 11). All participants completed three sessions: 1) initial familiarisation: questionnaires, anthropometry measures, DEXA scan, and a graded exercise test; 2) protocol 1: moderate-intensity continuous exercise; and 3) protocol 2: alternating high- and low-intensity exercise. Participants were randomly allocated to the acute exercise protocols. Each protocol had a fasted pre-exercise venous blood sample, 35-minutes cycle, fasted blood sample immediately post-, 2hrs post-, and 24hr post-exercise. RESULTS Significant differences were observed between groups in body mass index, waist and hip circumstances, percentage of fat mass, and VO2peak (p < .05). Analyses of venous blood samples will be presented. CONCLUSION With no known cure, lifestyle management is important for those with GI disorders. Exercise hosts several benefits; however, given the inflammatory nature of the condition, the acute responses of exercise are important for clinicians working with IBD/IBS patients.