Things to Remember
Exercise may play a preventative role in the development of IBD, although it’s not certain whether exercise has positive effects on the disease course.
While there are some barriers to exercising for people with IBD, moderate intensity exercise has been proven to have benefits for people with non-severe disease. Further studies are needed to guide specific recommendations on the types of exercise, frequency, and intensity that would be most valuable to people with IBD.
Exercise has shown to increase quality of life and provides benefits such as improvements in sleep, mood, mental health, pain perception, fatigue, body composition, the immune system, bone mineral density, muscle mass, and strength. As a result, exercise is a beneficial therapy for osteoporosis and arthritis.
Since each patient is unique, consult with your healthcare provider for personalized recommendations that minimize physical risks and take into account your medical history and disease status, but also maximize potential benefits. You’ll be happy to reap the benefits from moving your body in a healthy way.