DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences recently published a study evaluating clinical evidence on the interaction between gut microbiota and physical activity, examining the effects of probiotic supplementation in athletes. 

Nutritional habits of athletes has been a highly researched topic, especially in the areas of training, performance and post-exercise recovery. However, the role of intestinal microbiota in physical performance is less understood. This review evaluates existing clinical evidence on the topic and examines the relationship between gut bacteria and athlete health. Furthermore, it evaluates the mechanisms of action through which probiotic supplementation may affect exercise outcomes. 

This review underlines that athlete gut microbiota is associated with increased microbial diversity and that physical exercise promotes beneficial changes in the gut microbiota composition even in people who are sedentary. Evidence from pre-clinical studies indicate that exercise capacity can be impacted by modulations in the gut microbiota composition and that the mechanisms of action are linked to what can be called the gut-muscle axis. 

The authors summarise that probiotics have strain-specific potential to reduce gastrointestinal and respiratory tract symptoms and infections, helping athletes to train and compete healthily. Probiotics can also support athletic performance by enhancing training adaptations and have beneficial effects on physiological responses during post-exercise recovery periods. 

“Our gut bacteria play a key role in our overall health. It’s not surprising then, that it would also play a role in determining our physical ability. What is so exciting about this field of research is that with the growing number of published studies, we are able to delve deeper into the existing evidence and evaluate exactly what is happening in terms of gut bacteria and athletic performance,” stated the lead author, Dr Maija Marttinen, scientist, DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences. 

“We are always looking to conduct, gather, and analyse all the evidence of the benefits of probiotic supplementation. As leaders in the field of human health, it’s important to continue to push for more high quality clinical studies to continue to uncover the roles gut microbiota and probiotics play in physical performance and the exact modes of actions behind their potential benefits,” stated Dr Johanna Maukonen, global health & nutrition science R&D lead, DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences.