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.