Physical Activity and the Gastro-Intestinal Tract

The organs of the gastro-intestinal tract play an essential role in sustained physical activity, but their consideration in exercise-related literature has, to this point, been limited. Physical Activity and the Gastro-Intestinal Tract is the first book to explain the function and response to exercise of the gastro-intestinal system, in cases of both health and disease, and helps to shed light on the role they play in acute and chronic exercise. Professor Roy Shephard synthesises previously disparate research to explain the physiology, function, pathology of disease and role of exercise in both health and chronic disease, covering topics including: - physical activity and the oesophagus - gastro-duodenal function and physical activity - physical activity and peptic ulcers - physical activity and gastro-oesophageal cancers - physical activity and the function of the large bowel - physical activity and chronic intestinal inflammation. With each chapter including a thorough bibliography and signposts to further reading, Physical Activity and the Gastro-Intestinal Tract provides a complete reference for understanding how exercise affects the function of the digestive organs. It is an important text for academics and upper-level students in sports medicine and exercise physiology, and for health professionals in preventative medicine.

Roy J. Shephard is Professor Emeritus of Applied Physiology in the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education at the University of Toronto, Canada. He was Director of the School of Physical and Health Education (now the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education) at the University of Toronto for 12 years (1979-1991), and he served as Director of the University of Toronto Graduate Programme in Exercise Sciences from 1964 to 1985.

Preface 1. The classification of physical activity 2. Physical activity and the oesophagus: oesophageal motility and issues of gastro-oesophageal reflux 3. Optimizing gastro-duodenal function during physical activity 4. Physical activity and peptic ulcers 5. Physical activity and and the risk of gastro- oesophageal cancers 6. Physical activity and large bowel function: constipation, diarrhoea, and rectal bleeding 7. Physical activity, chronic intestinal inflammation and coeliac disease 8. Physical activity and colo-rectal adenomas 9. Physical activity and the risk of colo-rectal carcinomas 10. Exercise-related transient abdominal pain (ETAP)