A pilot study of exercise training for children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease: an evaluation of feasibility, safety, satisfaction, and efficacy

Abstract: Background: Children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) experience extra-intestinal side effects including altered body composition, impaired muscle strength and aerobic capacity. Exercise training may remedy these issues. Purpose: To assess the feasibility, safety, participant satisfaction and efficacy of a training program for youth with IBD. Methods: Children with IBD completed 16 weeks of training (2 supervised+1 home sessions per week). Feasibility was assessed by tracking recruitment, adherence, and compliance rates. Safety was assessed by tracking symptoms and adverse events. Post-training interviews gauged satisfaction. Circulating inflammatory markers, body composition, muscle strength, aerobic fitness, and habitual physical activity, were measured at baseline, mid-training (8 weeks), and post-training. Results: Eleven youth were recruited and 10 completed the study. Participants adhered to 28{+/-}1 of 32 prescribed supervised sessions and 8{+/-}4 of 16 prescribed home sessions. There were no adverse events, and overall feedback on training was positive. Post-training, we observed an increase in lean mass (+2.4{+/-}1.1 kg), bone density (+0.0124{+/-}0.015 g*cm-2), aerobic fitness (+2.8{+/-}5.7 mL*kgLM-1*min-1), and vigorous physical activity levels (+13.09{+/-} 8.95 min*hr-1) but no change in inflammation or muscle strength. Conclusion: Supervised exercise training is feasible, safe, and effective for youth with IBD and should be encouraged.