Could the therapeutic effect of physical activity on irritable bowel syndrome be mediated through changes to the gut microbiome? A narrative and hypothesis generating review
Could the therapeutic effect of physical activity on irritable bowel syndrome be mediated through changes to the gut microbiome? A narrative and hypothesis generating review
Background: irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal (GI) disorders worldwide. Defined as a disorder of gut-brain interaction, its pathophysiology is still not completely clear. Consequently, current treatments primarily target symptoms rather than addressing the cause of the condition. The gut microbiome is increasingly acknowledged as central to IBS pathophysiology and, thus, may have therapeutic potential. Several national treatment guidelines recommend increasing physical activity for IBS management.
Aims: this review summarises the evidence about the relationship between physical activity, IBS symptoms, and the gut microbiome, investigating the hypothesis that physical activity's therapeutic effects on IBS may be explained via modulation of the gut microbiome.
Results: this review revealed that routine exercise was associated with a 15%–66% reduction in symptom severity and up to 41% enhanced QoL in IBS participants, and modulates the gut microbiome in healthy controls. Discussion: This review generates the hypothesis that routine physical activity may favorably alter gut microbiome composition in IBS to improve IBS symptomology. While a plausible hypothesis, research needs to confirm whether gut microbiome modulation is involved in physical activity associated IBS symptom relief.
Conclusion: furthermore, the establishment of the most effective mode, duration, and intensity of physical activity for each sex and IBS-subtype is needed, with patient input during this process crucial to successfully translate science into practice.
gastrointestinal disorder, gut brain axis, gut microbiome, irritable bowel syndrome, physical activity
Lindsell, Hannah B.
94ea2804-8d60-45e2-9cfa-73c64c4be395
Williams, Neil C.
d279df7c-93f9-4971-811b-5f8062a3dc3c
Magistro, Daniele
ab9296bc-fda6-469e-a3f8-3a574faa1b7e
Corsetti, Maura
c1090fb1-f798-4ffb-a087-ecc4bc03b155
Walton, Gemma E.
a167f493-b3bf-4063-acdf-acdfa8c1137c
Hunter, Kirsty A.
91861278-241c-41ad-9aae-189d8939f695
Lindsell, Hannah B.
94ea2804-8d60-45e2-9cfa-73c64c4be395
Williams, Neil C.
d279df7c-93f9-4971-811b-5f8062a3dc3c
Magistro, Daniele
ab9296bc-fda6-469e-a3f8-3a574faa1b7e
Corsetti, Maura
c1090fb1-f798-4ffb-a087-ecc4bc03b155
Walton, Gemma E.
a167f493-b3bf-4063-acdf-acdfa8c1137c
Hunter, Kirsty A.
91861278-241c-41ad-9aae-189d8939f695
Lindsell, Hannah B., Williams, Neil C., Magistro, Daniele, Corsetti, Maura, Walton, Gemma E. and Hunter, Kirsty A.
(2025)
Could the therapeutic effect of physical activity on irritable bowel syndrome be mediated through changes to the gut microbiome? A narrative and hypothesis generating review.
Neurogastroenterology & Motility, 37 (6), [e70004].
(doi:10.1111/nmo.70004).
Abstract
Background: irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal (GI) disorders worldwide. Defined as a disorder of gut-brain interaction, its pathophysiology is still not completely clear. Consequently, current treatments primarily target symptoms rather than addressing the cause of the condition. The gut microbiome is increasingly acknowledged as central to IBS pathophysiology and, thus, may have therapeutic potential. Several national treatment guidelines recommend increasing physical activity for IBS management.
Aims: this review summarises the evidence about the relationship between physical activity, IBS symptoms, and the gut microbiome, investigating the hypothesis that physical activity's therapeutic effects on IBS may be explained via modulation of the gut microbiome.
Results: this review revealed that routine exercise was associated with a 15%–66% reduction in symptom severity and up to 41% enhanced QoL in IBS participants, and modulates the gut microbiome in healthy controls. Discussion: This review generates the hypothesis that routine physical activity may favorably alter gut microbiome composition in IBS to improve IBS symptomology. While a plausible hypothesis, research needs to confirm whether gut microbiome modulation is involved in physical activity associated IBS symptom relief.
Conclusion: furthermore, the establishment of the most effective mode, duration, and intensity of physical activity for each sex and IBS-subtype is needed, with patient input during this process crucial to successfully translate science into practice.
Text
Neurogastroenterology Motil - 2025 - Lindsell - Could the Therapeutic Effect of Physical Activity on Irritable Bowel
- Version of Record
More information
Accepted/In Press date: 4 February 2025
e-pub ahead of print date: 3 March 2025
Keywords:
gastrointestinal disorder, gut brain axis, gut microbiome, irritable bowel syndrome, physical activity
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 506084
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/506084
PURE UUID: 3d300eb7-0447-4e29-a2f6-735b4d3decc2
Catalogue record
Date deposited: 28 Oct 2025 18:16
Last modified: 29 Oct 2025 03:14
Export record
Altmetrics
Contributors
Author:
Hannah B. Lindsell
Author:
Neil C. Williams
Author:
Daniele Magistro
Author:
Maura Corsetti
Author:
Gemma E. Walton
Author:
Kirsty A. Hunter
Download statistics
Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.
View more statistics