Exercise can play an important role in easing the symptoms of Crohn’s disease. Here are seven activities to try.
For people with Crohn’s disease, it can be hard to exercise when dealing with symptoms such as bloating, cramping, and abdominal pain. But, if you have this inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), it’s important to try to work out when you’re able.
“If tolerated, physical movement is critical to the health of the body,” says Jessica Philpott, MD, PhD, a gastroenterologist at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. “This might look different for different people, but it should be a goal for everyone to get some healthy physical movement into their daily routine and explore what sort of exercise is good for them.”
Research shows that regular exercise can help ease the symptoms of Crohn’s and prevent relapse. Case in point: A study published in April 2021 in BMC Gastroenterology found that participants with Crohn’s who had higher activity levels had lower levels of disease activity. These participants also reported other benefits of exercise, including improved self-image and quality of life.
Similarly, a review published in January 2021 in Intestinal Research found the benefits of physical activity for people with IBD included improvements in quality of life, disease symptoms, and mental health.
In a study of people with Crohn’s who were in remission, those who exercised the most were less likely to experience a flare after six months than participants who didn’t do as much physical activity.
Additionally, many people with IBD often have mental health challenges. According to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, rates of depression are higher among people with IBD than in the general population. Anxiety is also common in individuals with Crohn’s, and exercise can be an important tool in managing mental health.
Still, there can be some limitations. People who are symptomatic and have active Crohn’s may want to stick to moderate and low-impact exercise, Dr. Philpott says. No matter what type of exercise you choose, it might be a good idea to avoid big, heavy meals in the hours before a workout and scout out the nearest bathroom in advance.
Here are seven types of exercise to try. Higher intensity workouts outside of this list may also be an option, but talk with your doctor before starting any new fitness routine.
1. Strength Training
People with Crohn’s disease can be more susceptible to a loss of bone strength and bone density, in part because of difficulty absorbing vitamin D in the small intestines, according to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. The organisation reports that bone loss affects as many as 30 to 60 percent of people with IBD.
Plus, using corticosteroids over a long period, or even intermittently, for Crohn’s increases the risk of osteoporosis. That’s where strength training comes in, because it can help build bone density, according to the Mayo Clinic. If you’re a beginner, you might want to work with an exercise specialist, who can help set up a program that’s tailored to your fitness level.
2. Walking
Walking can be a particularly good low-impact exercise for people with Crohn’s disease. (It’s also easy to get started, since all you need is a good pair of sneakers.) According to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, a 30-minute walk three times a week can be beneficial for people with IBD. What’s more, regular moderate-intensity walking doesn’t seem to lead to signs of inflammation in patients with IBD, according to a study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology.
3. Cycling
Like walking, riding a stationary bike or cycling outdoors can boost your health. A review published in April 2022 in Crohn’s & Colitis 360 found that moderately intense physical activity, such as walking, cycling, or resistance training, is associated with an improved quality of life, lower fatigue, better aerobic fitness, and a reduced risk of depression in people with Crohn’s disease. The review also found that exercise was linked to a reduced risk of flares in people whose Crohn’s was in remission.
4. Dancing
People with IBD who also experience mental health issues, such as depression, may benefit from dancing. As a form of exercise, dancing can stimulate the production of feel-good endorphins in the brain, according to the Mayo Clinic.
5. Swimming
Up to 30 percent of people with IBD also have arthritis, according to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. That’s where swimming can come in, as it’s a particularly joint-friendly activity. Swimming is a great exercise for people who have a chronic disease, and it can often be done longer than exercise on land, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
6. Yoga
Yoga is a low-impact exercise that includes stretching, meditation, and deep breathing. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, the gentle practice of yoga can lower stress, boost emotional health, and improve sleep. A review published in April 2022 in Crohn’s & Colitis 360 noted that yoga is a promising intervention for relieving increased levels of stress, anxiety, and depression and improving a reduced quality of life, which is common in people with IBD.
7. Pilates
Pilates is a low-impact fitness regimen designed to strengthen core muscles, improve posture, and increase flexibility. It also can help build bone and lower stress.
