Effects of exercise training on gallbladder function in an obese female population

Abstract

Purpose Aerobic exercise may influence gallstone disease pathogenesis through its effect on gallbladder motility. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of exercise training on gallbladder emptying in obese women. Methods Twenty-seven obese subjects were randomized into one of two groups: exercise (E) (five 45-min brisk walking sessions per week at 75.2 +/- 0.5% of maximum heart rate) and controls (C). Gallbladder function via cholescintigraphy, cardiorespiratory fitness, and body composition were measured in all subjects before and after a 12-wk intervention period. In each cholescintigraphy trial subjects ingested an 8-oz liquid meal 45 min after injection of 99mTc disofenin to promote gallbladder emptying. Gallbladder areas were then scanned for 60 s and then every 5 min for 60 min. Results VO2max increased significantly by 9% for E when compared with that for C (P Conclusions Results indicate that 12 wk of moderate exercise training does improve cardiorespiratory fitness but does not significantly effect gallbladder emptying in obese women.