Bowel movements -- also called stools -- are discharges left after your intestines absorb nutrients and fluids from foods and drinks. Bowel movements are triggered by peristalsis -- wavelike muscle contractions that occur throughout the digestive tract. The state of a person's gastrointestinal tract, as well as the quality and quantity of its output, constitute an essential barometer of a healthy condition, one that prevents frequent bowel movements after exercise.
The Digestive Process
The digestive process provides the pathway through which foods are broken down into their component nutrients before absorption. Digestion actually begins in the mouth, as the enzymes — protein-based molecules that speed up a chemical reaction in a living organism — in saliva begin to break down carbohydrates, also known as starch. Food chewed becomes lubricated and thus easier to swallow and digest. The small intestine is the main place of digestion and absorption; nutrients pass through intestinal membranes into the blood stream. Waste products, also known as feces, are discharged into the colon before final evacuation.
Waste Elimination
Feces -- also called stool -- are a solid waste product of digestion. This form of waste matter is moved through the large intestine by muscular contractions that push the colon content and trigger the desire to defecate. Typically, solid waste is comprised of digestive secretions, enzymes, fats, cell debris, electrolytes, water, bacteria and proteins. A disruption in the waste elimination process could be dramatic and cause serious health problems.
Constipation
Constipation -- usually associated with hard and small feces -- is a condition in which it's difficult to empty the bowels. Research shows that drinking fluids, specifically water, relieves constipation. Liquids add fluid to the colon and bulk to stools, making bowel movements softer and easier to pass. A lack of physical activity or regular exercise regimen could cause constipation. For example, you might be constipated if you can't exercise regularly owing to an accident or medical condition. Constipation is often more common in the elderly, particularly seniors who don't have an exercise plan.
Exercise and Frequent Stools
A regular fitness regimen can help make your bowel movements and bowel habits regular. Habits vary based on the individual, fitness level, medical condition and diet. Too many stops in the bathroom means you're passing more stools than medically advisable. Frequent bowel movements often are accompanied by diarrhea -- which is what medical professionals call the passage of loosely formed stool. Consistent bowel movements after exercise are not a sign of trouble if they are part of your regular pattern; if your bowel movements are otherwise regular but you frequently find you need to defecate after exercise, consult your physician for an evaluation. For example, frequent bowel movements with bloody stains could signal serious health problems.
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