A short 20-minute walk can boost gut motility within just a couple of minutes after it ends. That is the conclusion of Japanese researchers from Fujita Health University, whose work is reported by ScienceDaily, according to infohub.kz.
The experiment involved 21 volunteers. The scientists set out to determine how physical activity affects digestion. Participants walked on a treadmill at a comfortable pace while specialists recorded intestinal sounds using an electronic stethoscope and dedicated software.
The results showed that just 1–2 minutes after the walk ended, intestinal sounds became louder and occurred more frequently. The amplitude of the sound waves nearly doubled, indicating a sharp increase in intestinal contractions. The stimulating effect proved short-lived and declined after a few minutes, but the speed of the response itself confirmed a direct link between movement and digestion.
The authors believe the onset of motility is triggered by the response of the autonomic nervous system and the natural oscillations of the body during walking. The researchers plan to use acoustic analysis of intestinal sounds as a non-invasive method for further study of digestive problems.