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Effects of probiotic supplementation on 12 min run performance, mood management, body composition and gut microbiota in amateur marathon runners: A double-blind controlled trial

Authors :
Le Wang
Fan-Jing Meng
Yi-Han Jin
Li-Qiang Wu
Ruo-Yu Tang
Kuang-Hui Xu
Yun Guo
Jun-Jie Mao
Jian-Ping Ding
Jie Li
Source :
Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness, Vol 22, Iss 4, Pp 297-304 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
Elsevier, 2024.

Abstract

Background: Probiotic supplementation has a positive effect on endurance exercise performance and body composition in athletes, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Gut microbiota can provide measurable markers of immune function in athletes, and microbial composition analysis may be sensitive enough to detect stress and metabolic disorders caused by exercise. Methods: Nineteen healthy active amateur marathon runners (15 male and 4 female) with a mean age of 29.11 years volunteered to participate in this double-blind controlled study. Based on the performance of the Cooper 12-min running test (CRT), the participants were allocated into two groups to receive either a probiotic formulation comprising lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacterium longum (n = 10) or placebo containing maltodextrin (n = 9) for five weeks. Consistency of diet and exercise was ensured throughout the experimental period. Before and after the intervention, all participants were assessed for CRT, emotional stability and gastrointestinal symptoms, gut microbiota composition, body composition and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) indicators of skeletal muscle microcirculation. Results: Compared to before the intervention, the probiotics group showed an increase in CRT score (2.88 ± 0.57 vs 3.01 ± 0.60 km, P<0.05), significant improvement in GSRS and GIQLI (9.20 ± 4.64 vs 7.40 ± 3.24, 118.90 ± 12.30 vs 127.50 ± 9.85, P<0.05), while these indicators remained unchanged in the control group, with a significant time-group interaction effect on gastrointestinal symptoms. Additionally, some MRI metabolic cycling indicators of the thigh skeletal muscle also changed in the probiotics group (P<0.05). Regarding microbiota abundance, the probiotics group exhibited a significant increase in the abundance of beneficial bacteria and a significant decrease in the abundance of harmful bacteria post-intervention (P<0.05). Conclusion: As a sports nutritional supplement, probiotics have the potential to improve athletic performance by optimizing the balance of gut microbiota, alleviating gastrointestinal symptoms.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1728869X
Volume :
22
Issue :
4
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.5272a25c22994fe395791b1df8b95d37
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesf.2024.04.004