Gut-brain connection: What's the link?

Kyle Hernandez said:Does anyone happen to know if there is any underlying logic connecting core exercises, running, or brisk walking to the health and function of organs like the stomach, gallbladder, or bladder?
I am looking for something a bit more specific than just a general statement about how exercise improves overall organ function.
For instance, I know Kegel exercises strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, which helps manage bladder control issues. Is there a similar physiological analogy when it comes to abdominal workouts and the stomach?
Best regards,
s.

Carol Scott98;26426751 said:That's an interesting question...
To be honest, I'm not quite sure what you mean by that... why would ab workouts have anything to do with "improving stomach function" or whatever else you were trying to ask? With Kegel exercises, you’re contracting muscles similarly to how a woman might hold it when she needs to use the restroom. You're essentially strengthening those muscles so you can hold it longer before having to go. However, we don't have voluntary control over our stomach muscles, so doing crunches won't somehow "train" your stomach to work better. The real point is that exercising helps burn off fat and metabolic waste. Since our bodies are accustomed to certain levels of fat and sugar, once we start burning them off, the body tries to compensate, which speeds up the metabolism of all digestive organs. Instead of grabbing a candy bar during those times, you could opt for fruit. In short—exercise speeds up digestion, but it won't "train" your stomach or intestines to hold out longer when you're hungry. 😉 😬
The only thing you can really do is "exhaust" your entire body through overexertion, including your stomach. While I'm no expert, I can tell you that for me (and several of my colleagues), if I push myself too hard during a workout—say, jumping straight into intense cardio or an aerobics class after a long break without easing in—I often end up feeling nauseous and wanting to vomit... 😢 which is just a result of an "exhausted" stomach. 😉

Thanks for the detailed response. What you're saying makes sense, but since Kegel exercises strengthen the pelvic floor muscles—which is also an internal organ just like the stomach—it made me wonder if there was some connection between abdominal training and the stomach. Especially if fitness can cause the stomach to get "tired," maybe it plays a role in strengthening it too? I'm just guessing since I don't know, so I figured I'd ask.
Best regards,

Thank you so much for such a thorough explanation. What you’re saying makes perfect sense to me, though I can't help but wonder if there's a deeper connection here. If Kegel exercises strengthen the muscles surrounding the bladder—which, after all, is an internal organ just like the stomach—I started wondering if there might be a similar link between abdominal workouts and gastric health. If intense fitness training can sometimes cause digestive issues, perhaps the core work itself is actually helping to tone those areas too? It's just a little theory of mine, as I'm certainly no expert, so I thought I'd ask.
Best regards,

Carol Scott98;26462608 said:Kegels don't actually strengthen the bladder muscles themselves; they work on the sphincter, or the lower pelvic floor, which is what helps you "hold it." 🤔 I really doubt anyone is strengthening the muscles at the neck of the bladder (unless they meant the urethra?), because as you pointed out, the bladder is an internal organ. You can't consciously control or strengthen those specific muscles through exercise 🤷

"...Kegel exercises, which strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, help restore vaginal muscle tone after childbirth, assist older women with bladder control, increase sexual pleasure, and help clear cervical mucus and seminal fluid toward the vaginal opening..."

I have no idea where they got this idea about strengthening the bladder neck, but that is literally what it said. I don't bother with unreliable sources, so this was enough to pique my interest and get me to post. I’ll try doing them for a few years and let you know how it goes. :-)
I'm also curious if there's any connection to gastritis;
Every doctor is more than happy to run every test under the sun and write a prescription, but nothing actually works. I can't seem to get any real, actionable advice out of them—not even to start a meaningful conversation about it.

And where has the human touch gone? It's right back where it was during the Middle Ages (and honestly, things haven't been much better before or since).

Kyle Hernandez said:I am honestly not quite sure how there could be any connection between my neck muscles and bladder control, but I read it somewhere—and while I don't usually bother with unreliable sources—it was intriguing enough to make me want to post about it. I think I'll try practicing these exercises for a few years and then let you know how it goes. :-)
I am curious if there might be some sort of link to gastritis;
It seems that doctors are always eager to run every test imaginable and hand out prescriptions, yet it rarely provides actual relief; I struggle to get any specific advice from them beyond the common knowledge everyone already knows, and I can't even seem to start a real conversation about it.

Kyle Hernandez said:And where has humanity gone? It went exactly where it was for the entire Middle Ages (honestly, things haven't really improved much before or since, have they? :-)