Effect of Moderate Physical Exercise on Autonomic Balance in Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Background: Altered autonomic balance has been noted in Irritable bowel syndrome Regular physical exercise may cause restoration of autonomic balance in health and disease.Objective: To assess the effect of brisk walking on the autonomic balance by analysis of heart rate variability in patients with Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).Methods: This prospective study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) in 2013.Seventy seven male IBS patients aged 20-50 years, were enrolled from Gastroenterology OPD, BSMMU, Dhaka. Twenty eight healthy sedentary male with similar age were control. HRV measures were recorded once prior to exercise and then after 3 months of brisk walking. For assessing autonomic balance, LF/HF ratio and Max/Min RR was evaluated by Polyrite D machine and software. ANOVA, Independent sample t-test and paired t-test were used for statistical analysis.Results: The pre-exercise mean values of LF/HF ratio were significantly higher (p