The benefits of physical exercise in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases

The Crohn's Disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC are Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), characterized by inflammation of the bowel mucosa. The origin of the IBD is multifactorial, involving environmental factors, genetic and immunologic. There is no cure for IBD. The purpose of this study was to critically review the role of physical exercise on quality of life of patients with IBD. The Fall of bone mineral density (BMD) is reported in patients with CD, and about 40% to 50% have osteopenia and osteoporosis develop approximately 15%. The IBD may affect body composition, muscle performance and energy expenditure. There is a dose-response relationship and a threshold of intensity of exercise that separates the benefits and risks of exercise on the gastrointestinal tract. In scientific literature there are few studies related to IBD and exercise. There is consensus across studies that exercise of low and moderate intensity promotes improvements in quality of life of patients with IBD, demonstrating a direct action in extra-intestinal symptoms of diseases without exacerbation of symptoms. It requires the development of new studies to understand the real benefits of intervention programs for exercise, both aerobic as strength on the symptoms of IBD.