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Physical Activity in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Scoping Review
Lee Hill1,2, Noushin Roofigari3, Maria Faraz4
1Division of Gastroenterology & Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON,Canada.
Insights
Physical activity (PA) may benefit children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by potentially reducing symptoms. Further research is needed on PA
Area of Science:
- Pediatric gastroenterology
- Exercise science
- Chronic disease management
Background:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic gastrointestinal condition impacting children's growth, school attendance, and well-being.
- Physical activity (PA) offers potential anti-inflammatory benefits and other advantages for children with IBD.
- Understanding barriers and facilitators to PA in pediatric IBD is crucial but underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To map and describe the existing literature on physical activity in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease populations.
- To identify reported barriers and facilitators influencing PA participation in children with IBD.
Main Methods:
- A scoping review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines for scoping reviews.
- Literature published between 1980 and April 2022 on PA in pediatric IBD was systematically searched.
- Nineteen relevant articles were identified and analyzed.
Main Results:
- The reviewed literature included descriptive, interventional, and physiological response studies on PA in pediatric IBD.
- Children with IBD and healthy controls exhibited comparable physiological responses to exercise.
- Key barriers to PA included low self-esteem, body image concerns, and active IBD symptoms, while personal interest, social support, and family encouragement facilitated participation.
Conclusions:
- PA participation may alleviate symptoms in children with IBD.
- Further investigation into the short- and medium-term effects of PA on immune modulation is warranted.
- Regular PA is unlikely to negatively impact disease activity biomarkers in pediatric IBD.
Background:
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, systemic condition affecting the gastrointestinal tract. IBD can be severe and are associated with impairment in growth, school absences, abdominal pain, and fatigue. Physical activity (PA) could have an anti-inflammatory effect in addition to other benefits. It is important to address the possible risks, physiological effects of PA, and potential barriers, and facilitators for PA participation in pediatric IBD. However, potential barriers and facilitators to PA have yet to be adequately described.
Methods:
We conducted a scoping review to map and describe the current literature on PA in pediatric IBD populations between 1980 and April 2022 using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines for Scoping reviews.
Results:
Nineteen articles were identified including 10 descriptive, 6 interventional, and 3 physiological responses to PA studies. Patients and healthy controls demonstrated similar responses to exercise. Barriers to participation were low self-esteem, body image, and active IBD symptoms. Facilitators included personal interest, activity with friends, and support from family.
Conclusion:
This review highlighted that PA participation may reduce in children with IBD-related symptoms. Short- and medium-term impacts of PA on immune modulation require further study; it is possible that regular PA does not negatively affect biomarkers of disease activity.
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