Effects of physical activity on intestinal gas transit and evacuation in healthy subjects.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of mild physical activity on intestinal gas transit and clearance.


METHODS
In 8 healthy adults, a gas mixture was infused continuously into the jejunum (12 mL/min) for 120 minutes with simultaneous duodenal lipid perfusion (1 kcal/min). Gas evacuation, perception of abdominal sensations (on a scale of 0 [none] to 6 [pain]), and abdominal girth were measured at 15-minute intervals during rest and intermittent pedalling, with subjects in a supine position.


RESULTS
Mean (+/- SD) intestinal gas retention was lower during exercise than at rest (-84 +/- 303 mL vs. 143 +/- 219 mL, P <0.05). Gas retention during rest was associated with significant abdominal distension (8 +/- 6 mm, P <0.01 vs. basal), which was decreased with exercise (3 +/- 7 mm, P <0.05 vs. rest). The gas challenge test was well tolerated both during exercise and rest (perception score: 0.6 +/- 0.5 vs. 0.9 +/- 0.4, P = 0.25).


CONCLUSIONS
In healthy subjects, gut transit of intraluminal gas is enhanced by mild physical activity.
Dainese
Raffaella
R
Digestive System Research Unit, University Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Serra
Jordi
J
Azpiroz
Fernando
F
Malagelada
Juan-R
JR
D000328:Adult; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005740:Gases; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007583:Jejunum / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors
D005740:Gases