Gastritis and sports: is physical activity allowed?

Gastritis is one of the most common diseases, especially among teenagers. Few people lead an active lifestyle and follow a healthy diet every day. But sometimes, even when playing sports at a professional level or simply frequently performing various types of exercises, people have one of the stages of gastritis development.

Hence the rumors that this disease is an occupational disease of athletes. This article will help you understand how true this point of view is.

The influence of sport on gastritis

Due to the fact that gastritis also occurs among athletes, an opinion has emerged about the detrimental effect of sports on the health of the stomach, allegedly physical activity led to the disease. It is not true. Gastritis occurs as a result of improper, unbalanced nutrition. Dedicating all the time and energy to sports, a person does not care about proper nutrition, and nervous tension before competitions only aggravates the situation. Therefore, the reason is not in the sport, but in the regime. Poor nutrition and stress, combined with excessive physical exertion and fatigue, lead to secretory gastric insufficiency.

Is it possible to lift weights if you have a stomach ulcer?

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PO4EMU.RU » Medicine and health » WHY should you not lift heavy things when you have an ulcer?

An ulcer changes a person’s life, forcing him to give up his usual diet, daily routine and favorite activities.
The most unpleasant thing is that an ulcer is a recurrent disease, i.e. it is impossible to get rid of it once and for all. Ulcers can be caused by stress, poor diet, smoking, alcohol abuse, taking certain medications, genetic predisposition, chronic diseases or stomach injuries.

A characteristic sign of an ulcer is pain in the upper abdomen, but sometimes the disease can be asymptomatic. The diagnosis is made on the basis of x-rays or endoscopy, and the method of treatment is practically independent of the cause of the ulcer.

Doctors' recommendations during and after treatment are also very similar:

- diet; - giving up tobacco and alcohol; — sufficient sleep; - avoidance of negative emotions and stressful situations; - avoiding overwork, heavy lifting, and excess loads.

There is a myth that any physical activity is contraindicated for patients with ulcers. This is wrong. Outside the period of exacerbation, exercise and sports activities that do not lead to exhaustion are even useful and help to avoid relapse.

But active training, heavy loads or heavy lifting can provoke an extremely dangerous situation - perforation (perforation) of the ulcer, i.e. its breakthrough, accompanied by the release of the contents of the stomach or duodenum into the abdominal cavity.

When excessive physical effort is applied, a sharp jump in intra-abdominal pressure occurs. Typically, perforation occurs in the thinnest area - in the center of the ulcer. The hole may be very small, however, perforation causes very strong, “dagger” pain.

The period of painful shock lasts up to 7 hours, then “false well-being” sets in - apparent relief, which after 10 - 12 hours turns into a very serious condition - peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum).

It has been noted that among ulcer patients there are approximately 7 times more men than women. Perforation occurs mainly in young people from 20 to 40 years old. At the same time, you can prevent the formation of ulcers by adhering to the basic rules of a healthy lifestyle. Our health is in our hands.

Is it possible to exercise if you have gastritis?

Aerobics with elements of “belly dancing” is especially useful.
According to nutritionists and gastroenterologists, exercise can and should be done both to prevent gastritis and directly during treatment of the disease. The main thing is not to overdo it and regulate the load. For all types of gastritis, except catarrhal, you will have to temporarily postpone martial arts, mountaineering, bodybuilding, and weightlifting. In order not to lose shape, during treatment you can run (but not long distances), ride a bike, or swim. Aerobics with elements of “belly dancing” are especially useful, since these exercises are comparable to massage. As a result, the stomach walls receive better oxygen saturation.

Physical activity is beneficial even when you are sick because:

• promotes better oxygen saturation of body tissues, including the walls of the stomach;
• has a beneficial effect on the motility of the digestive tract and the production of enzymes, which improves digestion;
• Energy reserves increase, body tissues are saturated with vitamins and enzyme compounds, due to which the acid balance is restored. This has a beneficial effect on the condition of the stomach and the disease is stopped.

Despite the benefits of sports, it is important to understand that depending on the course of the disease, the intensity of the load must be adjusted. In some cases, you have to give up training.

What sports are allowed and prohibited

Is it possible to exercise and play sports with gastritis? The answer to this question depends on the form of the disease, the degree of its development and spread. The intensity and type of load is selected individually and together with the doctor. During the acute stage, going to the gym is not recommended, as this can lead to a deterioration in a person’s condition, causing erosions or ulcers.

Acceptable sports:

• yoga and pilates;
• stretching;
• swimming;
• walking and jogging;
• badminton and tennis;
• volleyball;
• skis and skates;
• aerobics and dancing;
• a ride on the bicycle;
• exercises on a fitball.

Patients can jog

In case of disturbances in the functioning of the digestive system, including pancreatitis and gastritis, strength training, athletics and weightlifting, martial arts, jumping and running, mountaineering and rock climbing, and sports tourism are completely contraindicated. Blows and injuries, overstrain of the abdominal muscles, irregular diet - all this can worsen the course of the disease and lead to serious consequences.

Acute period

In case of exacerbation, you will have to stop even running and swimming.
During exacerbation of the disease, physical activity is prohibited. Even running and swimming will have to be abandoned, which is not surprising. Will a person go to the gym when the illness is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• acute abdominal pain;
• nausea, vomiting;
• upset stool;

Training will have to be postponed until the condition improves. The most dangerous at this time are sudden shocks, jumps, blows, and force loads. You can't even jog.

Principles for selecting physical exercises for stomach ulcers

An important point in restoring the body during gastric ulceration is the regularity of physical exercise. Patients need to start their day with morning exercises. Exercises should be easy to perform and no more than 10 types.

Such exercises reduce the excitability of the central nervous system, and reflexively this process will have a relaxing effect on the smooth muscles of the stomach. Tension of the abdominal muscles is possible only at the stage of remission of the disease.

Remission period

Sustained remission is the time when physical activity is possible and even necessary. Of course, everything needs moderation. Such activities will have a positive effect on the health of the body, and on the digestive organs in particular. Constant, moderate physical exercise during remission is especially desirable, since human movements affect the internal organs like a massage. Due to this, the secretory function of the stomach is normalized.

In fact, physical activity prolongs the period of remission. Those who were far from physical education before illness should gradually increase the level of physical activity. The beginning should be simple - morning exercises, exercise therapy, running. You should not develop endurance or undertake a marathon if the disease is severe.

Thus, physical activity is possible and necessary for chronic gastritis. During remission, full-fledged training is allowed, except for intense loads, and if the condition worsens, they should be stopped.

Training with low and high acidity levels

The duration and intensity of exercise depends on the degree of secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. An accelerated pace and large amplitude increase acidity, and long lessons help reduce gastric secretion. It is important to choose the right regime and composition of sports nutrition. In this case, the last meal should be one and a half to two hours before bedtime.

Normalizing the acid balance in the stomach is an important factor contributing to proper digestion and human recovery.

Exercise should be combined with proper nutrition

How to train with increased acidity:

• The intensity of exercise should be increased gradually. The peak of activity should occur in the middle of the lesson. Towards the end of the lesson, you should slowly reduce the load, be sure to use stretching and relaxation exercises.
• All movements are performed smoothly and slowly, without shaking or jerking. Active actions should be alternated with relaxing techniques. In between approaches, it is necessary to give the body a few minutes to rest and restore breathing.
• A high-repetition cycle of exercises and an extended fitness lesson (60-90 minutes) are recommended. It is important that during the training process a person experiences only positive emotions; fatigue and stress can negatively affect the disease.

Fitness classes allowed

How to exercise with low acidity:

• Training should not last longer than 30-40 minutes a day. It is recommended to go to the gym in the first half of the day.
• It is better to perform exercises with fewer approaches, but in a more intense mode.
• It is not advisable to do static exercises and variations with holding your breath. There is a strong tension in the problem area, accompanied by discomfort.

Sports nutrition

For any problems with the gastrointestinal tract, you need to carefully choose nutritional supplements. This also applies to sports nutrition. Disputes on this topic among doctors have been going on for a long time, and there is still no clear answer, although sports doctors claim that such supplements will not cause harm. Let's consider the main ones:

• Protein. A completely safe supplement. Since it is a natural protein, it is considered a dietary food. May be contraindicated in people with allergies, although allergic reactions to the protein are rare.
• Gainers. There is no categorical prohibition, the main thing is to comply with an important condition: carefully study the composition. You need to know for sure the form of carbohydrates contained in the gainer. The higher the monosaccharide content, the higher the danger. The fact is that because of this substance, insulin is sharply released, which irritates the gastric mucosa. Another danger lies in flavorings. There should be as few of them as possible.
• Amino acids. They have an irritating effect on the gastric mucosa, especially amino acids with branched side chains. The form of release of the drug does not matter - capsules, liquid, powder. All amino acids have a detrimental effect on an inflamed stomach.
• Keratin. Unsafe, but acceptable if taken not on an empty stomach and divide the dose into parts.

You shouldn’t give up sports nutrition altogether if you have stomach problems. It is enough to avoid dangerous forms of additives and take into account personal tolerance. The best solution would be to consult a doctor.

Everything you need to know about stomach ulcers

Observer expert Lyudmila Putrenko, a gastroenterologist of the highest category at Medisvit medical centers, talks about what foods cause stomach ulcers and how to treat them.

Why do unfavorable processes occur in the stomach? How much of this is caused by food and human lifestyle?

Of course, the state of human health, and, in particular, his stomach, directly depends on nutrition and lifestyle. If you often indulge in spicy, fried foods, and also eat anything made from products of dubious quality, expect adverse reactions from your body. Irregular diet, insufficient sleep, excessive smoking, alcohol consumption and uncontrolled use of medications also play a big role. In addition, the cause of complaints can be a person’s infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori - this insidious microorganism can cause inflammation of the gastric mucosa, and then an ulcer.

Gastritis prevention and physical activity

Sport helps in the prevention of gastritis. To achieve success, you should adhere to the rules of moderation and regularity of exercise, avoid overexertion and fatigue, abandon strict diets and take special nutritional supplements with caution. You should start your classes with the simplest exercises - morning exercises, light jogging or physical therapy. It is better to increase the complexity of the workout after consulting with a specialist. A sports lifestyle combined with a healthy and balanced diet is a prevention and effective measure to get rid of the disease.

For information on effective methods of treating gastritis, watch the video:

Contraindications to exercise

Sports training is especially dangerous during exacerbation of gastritis. They lead to additional deterioration of the condition. Increased stress during exercise contributes to the deterioration of gastric secretion and narrowing of the blood vessels of the digestive organs, which can significantly aggravate the condition. Do not take amino acids on an empty stomach. Weightlifting and heavy lifting are contraindicated, as well as wrestling, which can cause injury to the gastrointestinal tract. Exercising within an hour after eating can cause harm. It is not recommended to include it in the exercise regimen if pain occurs in the gastrointestinal tract and intestinal stenosis.

How long should you not exercise after treatment?

If, however, worsened gastritis or an ulcer makes itself felt, then it is necessary to undergo a diagnosis, and then a course of treatment prescribed by a doctor. Upon completion of the course of taking medications, try not to burden your body for 10-14 days. This is necessary for its complete recovery. After this period, you can begin light training. It is ideal to start with a 10-15 minute light warm-up, and then gradually increase the duration of sports activities and intensity.

People who have had an ulcer surgically removed need to give up their usual workouts for up to 6-8 months. With the doctor's permission, after 2-3 months you can lift weights up to 5 kg. After surgery, physical therapy exercises are recommended. In addition to a set of general strengthening exercises, the patient should be familiarized with breathing techniques.

Recommendations for sports activities during gastritis

Scientists conducted experiments on the dependence of the regime of gastric juice secretion on the intensity of physical activity. Experiments have shown that the degree of activity and load affects acidity, which is why the following tips should be followed:

For patients with gastritis with high acidity it is recommended:

• Perform exercises smoothly and slowly without jerking;
• Warming up will help avoid a sharp and intense jump in acidity;
• Next, you should alternate strength exercises with relaxing techniques, this directly affects the secretion of the aggressive environment of hydrochloric acid. A good tip is to alternate strength sets with yoga poses;
• A highly repeated regimen has a very beneficial effect on the patient’s health, even if the training continues for a long time;
• Pilates and yoga are ideal options for physical activity for high acidity.

Excellent advice was received from experts; they recommend that people with gastritis conduct exercises 30 minutes before lunch, just at this time hydrochloric acid does not have a high level in the gastric juice.

In the evening, it is better not to provoke a stressful state of the body by training, which needs a full night's rest.

Patients with low acidity can use the following tips:

1. Classes should be held before lunch, the earlier the better. After training, be sure to drink a glass of mineral water without gas content;
2. The repetitions of the exercise should be reduced, and the pace and intensity reduced.

Physical activity and gastritis

In order to figure out whether it is possible to play sports with gastritis, it is necessary to understand the peculiarities of the influence of certain types of physical activity. They differ in their intensity and points of application, which determines the corresponding reaction of the body.

Moderate physical activity has a general stimulating effect on the cardiovascular system. Thanks to this, tissue gas exchange improves, including in the gastrointestinal tract. This creates the necessary conditions for faster regeneration of damaged areas, increasing the duration of periods of remission.

Regular training allows you to normalize the motor-secretory activity of the entire gastrointestinal tract, which effectively relieves unpleasant dyspeptic symptoms (belching, cramping pain, flatulence, nausea, stool disorders); Also, do not forget about stimulating the immune system.

In order to figure out whether it is possible to play sports with gastritis, it is necessary to understand the peculiarities of the influence of certain types of physical activity

Increased resistance/reactivity of the body prevents the damaging effects of Helicobacter pylori. Attending training under the supervision of a qualified specialist necessarily includes learning how to breathe correctly. The work of all organs is stimulated. Of particular importance in this case is the normalization of the regulation of the nervous system, since the activity of the digestive tract is directly related to its vegetative influences.

Physical activity for gastritis is prohibited in relation to the following activities:

• any professional sports involving grueling training and special diets;
• free martial arts and areas in which the risk of receiving blows to the abdominal area is increased;
• Weightlifting is almost always associated with an increase in intra-abdominal pressure. This can not only significantly increase the unpleasant symptoms of gastritis, but also accelerate the development of gastric ulcer;
• traumatic physical activity - parkour, mountaineering, snowboarding and others. In addition, the stage of the disease must be taken into account.

In case of exacerbation of gastritis, all types of physical activity are prohibited for a period individually determined by the doctor (usually at least 2 weeks). It will be possible to return to training only after achieving stable clinical remission.

The benefits of sports for the body

Regular moderate sports activities at home or in the gym improve overall well-being and have a beneficial effect on the internal and external condition of the entire body.

A healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of many diseases, as well as prolong the period of remission in chronic manifestations of diseases. Visiting the gym gives the following positive results:

• strengthening the immune system;
• prevention of depression and psychological imbalance;
• improving the functioning of the cardiovascular system, reducing the risk of its damage;
• increased brain activity;
• weight loss or muscle gain;
• antioxidant effect;
• improving the condition of the skin;
• optimization of lymph circulation;
• improvement of hemodynamics;
• getting rid of excess fluid in the body;
• improvement of muscle tone;
• oxygen saturation of organs;
• development of bone and joint tissues;
• reducing the risk of injury;
• improvement of metabolic processes.

Return to contents

At the stage of exacerbation of stomach diseases, physical activity is strictly prohibited. You can play sports during periods of remission - at the same time, gastric secretion improves and general well-being returns to normal. Regular visits to the gym for gastritis will prolong the relief of the disease. An important factor when running or other training is regular and proper nutrition. If you skip meals, your stomach condition may worsen significantly, and an exacerbation may develop.

Correct loads promote moderate secretion of gastric juice and improve blood circulation in the digestive organs. Strength exercises can contribute to the worsening of the disease. You should choose those sports activities that the doctor recommends, based on the individual characteristics of the disease - then they will be beneficial.

Moderate loads during acceptable sports activities will be beneficial. For physical activity during gastritis, light sports activities are offered, in which efforts can be reduced to a minimum, but actively practiced. If you exercise your abs correctly, without excessive zeal, during periods of rehabilitation, the remission will last. Also useful:

• swimming;
• race walking;
• jogging;
• skating;
• fitness;
• dancing;
• aerobics;
• yoga;
• easy running;
• volleyball;
• tennis;
• bicycle rides.

Return to contents

For inflammation of the gastric mucosa, the following are contraindicated:

• weightlifting;
• skydiving;
• mountaineering;
• tourist travel;
• struggle;
• intense and marathon running;
• strength exercises;
• martial arts;
• diving.

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Exercise program for patients with stomach ulcers

Exercise therapy is 6 simple exercises that are performed in various positions:

1. Abdominal breathing - when inhaling, the diaphragm lowers and the abdomen protrudes, when exhaling, the diaphragm rises and the abdomen retracts. The exercise is performed in a lying or sitting position.
2. Reverse breathing - when you inhale, the stomach retracts, and when you exhale, it lowers with muscle effort. Position when performing - lying or sitting.
3. Starting position – arms extended forward, legs together. When inhaling, swing your leg forward touching the palm of your hand; when exhaling, return to the starting position. Repeat the exercise with the other leg.
4. In the starting position, lying on your back and with your arms along your torso, grab the knee of one leg and pull it towards your stomach. The exercise is repeated with the other leg.
5. In the starting position, lying down, with your arms under your head and your legs bent at the knees, the pelvis rises and falls.
6. In the starting position, sitting on the floor with straight legs and arms extended upward, while inhaling, the knees are pulled up to the chest by the hands, and when exhaling, they return to their starting position.

Performing these simple exercises daily will have a positive result in restoring and improving the general condition of a patient with a stomach ulcer.

Gymnastics for gastritis

Of course, heavy loads with gastritis are harmful. They can even lead to the development of chronic gastritis, especially if combined with poor diet. After all, irrational physical activity inhibits the motor functions of the stomach, and overwork and overload lead to secretory failure of the organ.

But reasonable exercise, on the contrary, is an excellent way to cope with digestive problems. Therapeutic exercises for gastritis help restore the neurohumoral regulation of digestion, normalize the secretory and motor functions of the stomach, improve blood circulation in the abdominal cavity and strengthen the abdominal muscles.

During intense muscle work, metabolism, energy and oxygen in cells accelerates. Thanks to this, damaged cells are actively replaced by new ones, which not only promotes faster recovery, but also reduces the risk of gastritis becoming chronic.

With reduced secretory function of the stomach, moderate physical activity is necessary at an average pace, with a small number of repetitions. It is this type of exercise that slowly increases blood flow to the walls of the stomach. You can practice for about 30 minutes.

It is advisable that gymnastics take place with cheerful music and in a group, since emotionally intense exercises better stimulate the secretory function of the stomach.

The main emphasis is on exercises to strengthen the abdominal muscles and develop abdominal breathing. It is better to perform exercises 1.5–2 hours before or after meals and half an hour before drinking mineral water - this is necessary to restore blood circulation in the stomach.

With increased acidity of gastric juice, it is necessary to perform more complex exercises in coordination at a slow pace, with monotonous movements, then its secretion decreases. The intensity of exercise should increase gradually.

Gymnastics must be combined with breathing exercises and relaxation exercises. A large number of repetitions are used. However, abdominal exercises are kept to a minimum. If you actively pump your abs, you can get severe stomach pain. If pain occurs, gymnastics should be avoided altogether.