Review for 10.1186/s12876-019-0952-x (2019)

Reviewer’s report
Title:  Moderate-intensity  aerobic  and  resistance  exercise  is  safe  and  favorably  influences  body  
composition in patients with quiescent Inflammatory Bowel Disease. A randomized controlled cross-
over trial.
Version: 0 Date: 02 Nov 2018
Reviewer: Laure Bindels
Reviewer's report:
I read with interest this manuscript from Cronin and colleagues. This manuscript is really well-written,  
with  a  clear  take-home  message.  The  study is  well-designed  with  appropriate  controls  and  gold  
standard technologies. Data are appropriately analyzed from a statistical point of view and presented in  
a clear fashion. The discussion is well balanced, with references to close studies and mention of the  
strengths and limitations of the current study.
I have two minor suggestions:
-Lines  52-53:  "Minimal  alterations  in  the  alpha  and  beta-diversity  of  gut  microbiota  and  
associated metabolic pathways were evident." To my understanding, this sentence from the abstract  
does not strictly reflect the results obtained from the microbiome analyses, where the only significant  
difference reported was an increase in alpha-diversity in the control group. I would suggest to rephrase  
it.
-Lines 252-254: "DNA was extracted from patient's fresh faecal samples. Stool samples were  
collected into a sealed, secure container and transported as fresh as possible to the Teagasc Moorepark  
research facility for DNA extraction." Could you please specify what is meant by "as fresh as possible"  
(time frame?)? Could you confirm that the extraction was done on fresh material?
Are the methods appropriate and well described?
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.
Yes
Does the work include the necessary controls?
If not, please specify which controls are required in your comments to the authors.
Yes
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.
Yes
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manuscript or would you recommend an additional  
statistical review?
If  an  additional  statistical  review  is  recommended,  please  specify  what  aspects  require  further  
assessment in your comments to the editors.
I am able to assess the statistics
Quality of written English
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:
Acceptable
Declaration of competing interests
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1. Have you in the past five years received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an  
organisation  that  may  in  any  way  gain  or  lose  financially  from  the  publication  of  this  
manuscript, either now or in the future?
2. Do you hold any stocks or shares in an organisation that may in any way gain or lose financially  
from the publication of this manuscript, either now or in the future?
3. Do  you  hold  or are  you  currently applying  for  any patents  relating  to  the  content  of  the  
manuscript?
4. Have you received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an organization that holds or  
has applied for patents relating to the content of the manuscript?
5. Do you have any other financial competing interests?
6. Do you have any non-financial competing interests in relation to this paper?
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