Exercise Training in Youth With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) suffer from many extra-intestinal side effects, including impaired muscle strength, low aerobic fitness, low bone density, and chronic inflammation. While exercise training can help remedy these issues in adults with IBD, no studies have examined the physiological effects of a structured aerobic and resistance exercise training intervention for youth with IBD. The aim of this pilot study is to to assess the feasibility, safety, and participant satisfaction of a structured 16-week training program for children with IBD. The secondary objectives of this study were to quantify the effects of a 16-week exercise training program on select physiological and behavioural outcomes in children with IBD.