Participant inclusion and exclusion criteria.
| Eligibility criteria | Exclusion criteria |
| Age≥18 years | Age<18 years |
| Confirmed moderate to severe IBD based on endoscopic evaluation (Mayo endoscopic sub-score>2, Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn’s disease (SES-CD)>7), clinical scoring tools (Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (CDAI)>220, Harvey-Bradshaw Index (HBI)>8, partial Mayo score>5) and faecal calprotectin (>250 ug/g). | Inactive or mild IBD. |
| Must be able to provide written informed consent and complete questionnaires. | Inability to participate in the exercise programme (unable to perform 6-minute walk test (6-MWT), unable to attend for assessment of parameters at any time point). |
| Must be physically able to complete an exercise programme. | An uncontrolled cardiovascular condition such as unstable angina, uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmias, uncontrolled symptomatic heart failure or symptomatic severe aortic stenosis. A significant musculoskeletal condition, neurological condition, mental illness or intellectual disability that restricts participation in a physical exercise programme. |
| Previous biologic or small molecule therapy use. | Pregnant women. |
| Healthy controls will be excluded if they have a history of underlying inflammatory conditions. |
IBD, inflammatory bowel disease.