An analysis of physical activity on gastric motility

Objectives This study was done to determine if mild or moderate exercise has any effect on gastric motility in relationship to gastric emptying studies. Most facilities that perform gastric emptying studies have no restrictions on patient activity during the breaks between images. This study compared physical activity to gastric emptying rate.

Methods Data was collected for 75 patients undergoing gastric emptying studies. The protocol was as follows; the patients ingested 2mCi of Tc-99m eggs, two pieces of toast with jelly, and a cup of water. Images were begun immediately following the completion of the meal. Static anterior and posterior one minute images were acquired at one, two, three, and four hours, or until the patient’s stomach had emptied 90% or greater. The patients sample included inpatients and outpatients. The inpatients performed no physical activity, and the outpatients were assessed for their activity level during the one hour breaks between imaging. The different levels of activity were: no physical activity, mild physical activity (<15 minutes of activity), or moderate physical activity (>15minutes of activity). The patients’ activity level was then compared to their percent empty.

Results There were 25 patients who did no physical activity and their average rate of emptying was 87% in four hours. There were 25 patients who performed mild physical activity and their average rate of emptying was 90% in four hours. There were 25 patients who performed moderate physical activity and their rate of emptying was 92% in three hours.

Conclusions This study shows evidence that physical activity is a variable in gastric emptying which could alter the diagnosis of the study. Mild or moderate physical activity affects gastric motility in relation to gastric emptying studies. Facilities may want to consider adopting a protocol for physical activity during gastric emptying studies