Abstract
We evaluated the effect of graded exercise on esophageal motility and gastroesophageal reflux. We studied eight trained cyclists using a catheter with three strain-gauge transducers connected to a solid-state datalogger and an ambulatory intraesophageal pH monitor. Each study lasted 4 hr during which subjects exercised on a stationary bike for 1 hr at 60% of peak O2 uptake (O2 max), 45 min at 75% of O2 max, and for 10 min at 90% of O2 max. Subjects rested 1 hr before exercise (control period) and for 30 min between exercise sessions. Studies were performed after an overnight fast and subjects received only intravenous infusion of 5% glucose solution during the study. Plasma concentrations of gastrin, motilin, glucagon, pancreatic polypeptide (PP), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) were determined at rest and before and after each exercise session. The duration, amplitude, and frequency of esophageal contractions declined with increasing exercise intensity, and the differences were significant (P≤0.05) for all three variables at 90% O2 max. The number of gastroesophageal reflux episodes and the duration of esophageal acid exposure were significantly (P≤0.05) increased during exercise at 90% O2 max. Plasma hormone concentrations showed no significant changes between rest and the various exercise sessions. Thus, exercise has profound effects on esophageal contractions and gastroesophageal reflux which are intensity dependent. These effects are not mediated by the hormones measured.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Moses FM: The effect of exercise on the gastrointestinal tract. Sports Med 9:159–172, 1990
Kraus BB, Sinclair JW, Castell DO: Gastroesophageal reflux in runners, characteristics and treatment. Ann Intern Med 112:429–433, 1990
Clark CS, Kraus BB, Sinclair J, Castell DO: Gastroesophageal reflux induced by exercise in healthy volunteers. JAMA 261:3599–3601, 1989
Peters O, Peters P, Clarys JP, De Meirleir K, Davis G: Esophageal motility and exercise. Gastroenterology 94:A351, 1988
Soffer EE, Summers RW, Gisolfi C: The effect of exercise on intestinal motility and transit in trained athletes. Am J Physiol 260:G698-G702, 1991
Hilsted H, Galbo B, Sonne T, Schwartz J, Fahrenkrug J, Schaffalitzky De Muckadell OB, Lauritsen KB, Trovier B: Gastroenteropancreatic hormonal changes during exercise. Am J Physiol 239:G136-G140, 1980
Sullivan SN, Champion MC, Christofides ND, Adrian TE, Bloom SR: GI regulatory peptide responses in long-distance runners. Physician Sport Med 12:77–82, 1984
Cartèr JE, Gisolfi CV: Fluid replacement during and after exercise in the heat. Med Sci Sports Exerc 21:532–539, 1989
Adrian TE, Ferri G-L, Bacarese-Hamilton AJ, Fuessl HS, Polak JM, Bloom SR: Human distribution and release of a putative new gut hormone, peptide YY. Gastroenterology 89:1070–1077, 1985
Masclee AAM, De Best ACAM, De Graaf R, Cluysenaer OJJ, Jansen JBMJ: Ambulatory 24-hour pH-metry in the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Scand J Gastroenterol 25:225–230, 1990
Clausen JP: Effect of physical training on cardiovascular adjustment to exercise in man. Physiol Rev 57:779–815, 1977
Qamar M, Reed A: Effects of exercise on mesenteric blood flow in man. Gut 28:583–587, 1987
Rowell LB: Human cardiovascular adjustments to exercise and thermal stress. Physiol Rev 54:75–159, 1974
Pope II CE: Anatomy and developmental anomalies.In Gastrointestinal Disease. MH Sleisenger, JS Fordtran (eds). Philadelphia, WB Saunders, 1989, pp 541–546
Hollis JB, Castell DO: Effect of dry swallows and wet swallows of different volumes on esophageal peristalsis. J Appl Physiol 38:1161–1164, 1975
Dodds WJ, Hogan WJ, Helm JF, Dent J: Pathogenesis of reflux esophagitis. Gastroenterology 81:376–394, 1981
Helm JF, Dodds WJ, Riedel DR, Teeter BC, Hogan WJ, Arndorfer RC: Determinants of esophageal acid clearance in normal subjects. Gastroenterology 85:607–612, 1983
Diamant NE: Physiology of the esophagus.In Gastrointestinal Disease. MH Sleisenger, JS Fordtran (eds). Philadelphia, WB Saunders, 1989, pp 548–559
Rattan S, Goyal RK: Effect of bovine pancreatic polypeptide on the opossum lower esophageal sphincter. Gastroenterology 77:672–676, 1979
Christofides ND, Bloom SR, Besterman HS, Adrian TE, Ghatei MA: Release of motilin by oral and intravenous nutrients in man. Gut 20:102–106, 1979
Floyd JC Jr, Fajans SS, Pek S: Regulation in healthy subjects of the secretion of human pancreatic polypeptide, a newly recognized pancreatic islet polypeptide. Trans Assoc Am Physicians 89:146–158, 1976
Taylor IL, Mannon P: Gastrointestinal hormones.In Textbook of Gastroenterology, Vol 1. T Yamada, DH Alpers, CO Wyang, DW Powell, FE Silverstein (eds). Philadelphia, JB Lippincott 1991, pp 24–49
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Soffer, E.E., Merchant, R.K., Duethman, G. et al. Effect of graded exercise on esophageal motility and gastroesophageal reflux in trained athletes. Digest Dis Sci 38, 220–224 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01307538
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01307538