Background and aims: Physical activity is beneficial in several chronic disorders including Crohn's disease, but the preferred type of exercise is unknown. Our study aimed to examine and compare the safety, feasibility and potential beneficial effects of individual moderate endurance and moderate muscle training in patients with Crohn's disease.
Methods: Quiescent or mildly active (Crohn's disease activity index <220) patients with Crohn's disease were randomly allocated to either a control, endurance, or muscle training group. Participants exercised individually for 3 months three times per week. Endpoints included dropout rate, disease activity, inflammatory parameters including faecal calprotectin, anthropometric data, quality of life, physical activity and strength.
Results: A total of 45 patients with Crohn's disease were randomly allocated. In the endurance group (n = 17), the dropout rate was significantly higher (47% vs. 13%) compared with the muscle group (n = 15). In both groups the maximal and average strength in the upper and lower extremities increased significantly (all P < 0.04). In the endurance group emotional function was significantly improved (P = 0.03). Statistically significant changes of disease activity and other outcome parameters were not observed in this pilot cohort.
Conclusion: Both individual moderate endurance and muscle training can be safely performed in patients with mild or quiescent Crohn's disease. Muscle training appears more feasible and may be favoured. Both forms of exercise have beneficial effects on strength. Quality of life increased in both intervention groups, although statistical significance was only reached in one subgroup.
Keywords: Crohn’s disease; endurance; exercise; fatigue; physical activity; sport; strength.