Effects of probiotics supplementation on sports performance: a narrative review
Abstract
The gut microbiota is characterized by the set of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, yeasts, phages and protozoa) that naturally lives in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals. The diversity and quality of the gut microbiota are directly related to eating habits, as well as to the level of training of individuals. Moderate physical exercise seems to promote greater intestinal microbial diversity, in addition to anti-inflammatory reactions, improvement of carbohydrate metabolism and prevention of diseases associated with a sedentary lifestyle. However, excessive physical exercise promotes the alteration or imbalance of the microbiota (dysbiosis) and favors the increased permeability of the intestinal barrier (leaky gut). This condition is related to the increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), immunosuppression and even to the increase in muscle fibre damage. The intestinal microbiota can help to reduce oxidative stress caused by excessive exercise. Some strains of bacteria have antioxidant properties through the expression of antioxidant enzymes and modulation of inflammation caused by pro-inflammatory cytokines. Given the mechanisms involved between physical exercise and intestinal microbiota, supplementation of bacterial strains seems to impact athletic sports performance as it helps in controlling inflammation, in the post-exercise recovery processes and in supporting the immune system.
References
-Allen, J.M.; Mailing, L.J.; Niemiro, G.M.; Moore, R.; Cook, M.D.; White, B.A.; Holscher, H.; Woods, J. Exercise Alters Gut Microbiota Composition and Function in Lean and Obese Humans. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. Vol. 50. Num. 4. 2018. p. 747-757.
-Barton, W.; Penney, N.C.; Cronin, O.; Garcia-Perez, I.; Molloy, M.G.; Holmes, E., Shanahan F., Cotter P.D., O’Sullivan O. The microbiome of professional athletes differs from that of more sedentary subjects in composition and particularly at the functional metabolic level. Gut. Vol. 67. Num. 4. 2018. p. 625-33.
-Carabotti, M.; Scirocco, A.; Maselli, M.A.; Severi, C. The gut-brain axis: Interactions between enteric microbiota, central and enteric nervous systems. Annals of Gastroenterology. Vol. 28. Num. 2. 2015. p. 203-209.
-Carvalho, B.M.; Abdalla Saad, M.J. Influence of Gut microbiota on subclinical inflammation and insulin resistance. Mediators of Inflammation. Vol. 2013. 2013. p. 1-13.
-Chassard, C.; Lacroix, C. Carbohydrates and the human gut microbiota. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care. Vol. 16. Num. 4. 2013. p. 453-460.
-Churchward-Venne, T.A.; Burd, N.A.; Mitchell, C.J.; West, D.W.D.; Philp, A.; Marcotte, G.R.; Baker, S.; Baar, K.; Phillips, S. Supplementation of a suboptimal protein dose with leucine or essential amino acids: Effects on myofibrillar protein synthesis at rest and following resistance exercise in men. Journal of Physiology. Vol. 590. Num. 11. 2012. p. 2751-2765. https://doi.org/10.1113/jphysiol.2012.228833.
-Clancy, R.L.; Gleeson, M.; Cox, A.; Callister, R.; Dorrington, M.; D’Este, C.; Pang, G.; Pyne, D.; Fricker, P.; Henriksson, A. Reversal in fatigued athletes of a defect in interferon γ secretion after administration of Lactobacillus acidophilus. British Journal of Sports Medicine. Vol. 40. Num. 4. 2006. p. 351-354.
-Clarke, G.; Stilling, R.M.; Kennedy, P.J.; Stanton, C.; Cryan, J.F.; Dinan, T.G. Minireview: Gut microbiota: The neglected endocrine organ. Molecular Endocrinology. Vol. 28. Num. 8. 2014. p. 1221-1238.
-Clarke, S.F.; Murphy, E.F.; O’Sullivan, O.; Lucey, A.J.; Humphreys, M.; Hogan, A.; Hayes, A.; O’Reilly, M.; Jeffery, I.B.; Wood-Martin, R. Exercise and associated dietary extremes impact on gut microbial diversity. Gut. Vol. 63. Num. 12. 2014. p. 1913-1920.
-Costello, E.K.; Lauber, C.L.; Hamady, M.; Fierer, N.; Gordon, J.I.; Knight, R. Bacterial community variation in human body habitats across space and time. Science. Vol. 326. Num. 5960. 2009. p. 1694-1697.
-Cox, A.J.; Pyne, D.B.; Saunders, P.U.; Fricker, P.A. Oral administration of the probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum VRI-003 and mucosal immunity in endurance athletes. British Journal of Sports Medicine. Vol. 44. Num. 4. 2010. p. 222-226.
-Cronin, O.; Molloy, M.G.; Shanahan, F. Exercise, fitness, and the gut. Current Opinion in Gastroenterology. Vol. 32. Num. 2. 2016. p. 67-73.
-Dallas, D.C.; Sanctuary, M.R.; Qu, Y.; Khajavi, S.H.; Van Zandt, A.E.; Dyandra, M.; Frese, S.A.; Barile, D.; German, J.B. Personalizing protein nourishment. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. Vol. 57. Num. 15. 2017. p. 3313-3331.
-Den Besten, G.; Van Eunen, K.; Groen, A.K.; Venema, K.; Reijngoud, D.J.; Bakker, B.M. The role of short-chain fatty acids in the interplay between diet, gut microbiota, and host energy metabolism. Journal of Lipid Research. Vol. 54. Num. 9. 2013. p. 2325-2340.
-Eisenstein, M. Microbiome: Bacterial broadband. Nature. Vol. 533. 2016. p. S104-S106.
-Erridge, C.; Attina, T.; Spickett, C.M.; Webb, D.J. A high-fat meal induces low-grade endotoxemia: Evidence of a novel mechanism of postprandial inflammation. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Vol. 86. Num. 5. 2007. p. 1286-1292.
-Estaki, M.; Pither, J.; Baumeister, P.; Little, J.P.; Gill, S.K.; Ghosh, S.; Ahmadi-Vand, Z.; Marsden, K.; Gibson, D. Cardiorespiratory fitness as a predictor of intestinal microbial diversity and distinct metagenomic functions. Microbiome. Vol. 4. 2016. p. 1-13.
-Everard, A.; Belzer, C.; Geurts, L.; Ouwerkerk, J.P.; Druart, C.; Bindels, L.B.; Guiot, Y.; Derrien, M.; Muccioli, G.; Delzenne, N.; De Vos, W.; Cani, P. Cross-talk between Akkermansia muciniphila and intestinal epithelium controls diet-induced obesity. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. Vol. 110. Num. 22. 2013. p. 9066-9071.
-Gentile, C.L.; Weir, T.L. The gut microbiota at the intersection of diet and human health. Science. Vol. 362. Num. 6416. 2018. p. 776-780.
-Gill, S.K.; Allerton, D.M.; Ansley-Robson, P.; Hemmings, K.; Cox, M.; Costa, R.J.S. Does short-term high dose probiotic supplementation containing Lactobacillus casei attenuate exertional-heat stress induced endotoxaemia and cytokinaemia? International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. Vol. 26. Num. 3. 2016. p. 268-275.
-Huttenhower, C.; Gevers, D.; Knight, R.; Abubucker, S.; Badger, J.H.; Chinwalla, A.T. Structure, function and diversity of the healthy human microbiome. Nature. Vol. 486. Num. 7402. 2012. p. 207-214.
-Jäger, R.; Mohr, A.E.; Carpenter, K.C.; Kerksick, C.M.; Purpura, M.; Moussa, A.; Townsend, J.; Lamprecht, M.; West, N.; Black, K.; Gleeson, M.; Pyne, D.; Wells, S.; Arent, S.; Smith-Ryan, A.; Kreider, R.; Campbell, B.; Bannock, L.; Scheiman, J.; Wissent, C.; Pane, M.; Kalman, D.; Pugh, J.; er Haar, J.; Antonio, J. International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Probiotics. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. Vol. 16. Num. 1. 2019. p. 1-44.
-Jäger, R.; Purpura, M.; Stone, J.D.; Turner, S.M.; Anzalone, A.J.; Eimerbrink, M.J.; Pane, M.; Amoruso, A.; Rowloands, D.; Oliver, J. Probiotic Streptococcus thermophilus FP4 and Bifidobacterium breve BR03 supplementation attenuates performance and range-of-motion decrements following muscle damaging exercise. Nutrients. Vol. 8. Num. 10. 2016. p. 1-11.
-Karl, J.P.; Margolis, L.M.; Madslien, E.H.; Murphy, N.E.; Castellani, J.W.; Gundersen, Y.; Hoke, A.; Levangie, M.; Kumar, R.; Chakraborty, N.; Gautam, A.; Hammamieh, R.; Martini, S.; Montain, S.; Pasiakos, S. Changes in intestinal microbiota composition and metabolism coincide with increased intestinal permeability in young adults under prolonged physiological stress. American Journal of Physiology - Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology. Vol. 312. Num. 6. 2017. p. G559-G571.
-Kårlund, A.; Gómez-Gallego, C.; Turpeinen, A.M.; Palo-Oja, O.M.; El-Nezami, H.; Kolehmainen, M. Protein supplements and their relation with nutrition, microbiota composition and health: Is more protein always better for sportspeople? Nutrients. Vol. 11. Num. 4. 2019. p. 1-19.
-Klemenak, M.; Dolinšek, J.; Langerholc, T.; Di Gioia, D.; Mičetić-Turk, D. Administration of Bifidobacterium breve Decreases the Production of TNF-α in Children with Celiac Disease. Digestive Diseases and Sciences. Vol. 60. Num. 11. 2015. p. 3386-3392.
-Lamprecht, M.; Bogner, S.; Schippinger, G.; Steinbauer, K.; Fankhauser, F.; Hallstroem, S.; Schuetz, B.; Greilberger, J. Probiotic supplementation affects markers of intestinal barrier, oxidation, and inflammation in trained men; a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. Vol. 9. 2012. p. 1-13.
-Lang, C.H.; Frost, R.A.; Nairn, A.C.; MacLean, D.A.; Vary, T.C. TNF-α impairs heart and skeletal muscle protein synthesis by altering translation initiation. American Journal of Physiology - Endocrinology and Metabolism. Vol. 282. Num. 2 45-2. 2002. p. 336-347.
-Li, J.; Jia, H.; Cai, X.; Zhong, H.; Feng, Q.; Sunagawa, S. An integrated catalog of reference genes in the human gut microbiome. Nature Biotechnology. Vol. 32. Num. 8. 2014. p. 834-841.
-Maathuis, A.J.H.; Keller, D.; Farmer, S. Survival and metabolic activity of the GanedenBC30 strain of Bacillus coagulans in a dynamic in vitro model of the stomach and small intestine. Beneficial Microbes. Vol. 1. Num. 1. 2010. p. 31-36.
-Mach, N.; Fuster-Botella, D. Endurance exercise and gut microbiota: A review. Journal of Sport and Health Science. Vol. 6. Num. 2. 2017. p. 179-197.
-Main, L.C.; Dawson, B.; Heel, K.; Grove, J.R.; Landers, G.J.; Goodman, C. Relationship between inflammatory cytokines and self-report measures of training overload. Research in Sports Medicine. Vol. 18. Num. 2. 2010. p. 127-139.
-Małkiewicz, M.A.; Szarmach, A.; Sabisz, A.; Cubała, W.J.; Szurowska, E.; Winklewski, P.J. Blood-brain barrier permeability and physical exercise. Journal of Neuroinflammation. Vol. ;6. Num. 1. 2019. p. 1-16.
-Marshall, H.; Chrismas, B.C.R.; Suckling, C.A.; Roberts, J.D.; Foster, J.; Taylor, L. Chronic probiotic supplementation with or without glutamine does not influence the eHsp72 response to a multi-day ultra-endurance exercise event. Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism. Vol. 42. Num. 8. 2017. p. 876-883.
-Marshall, J.C.; Kelch, R.P. Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone: Role of Pulsatile Secretion in the Regulation of Reproduction. New England Journal of Medicine. Vol. 306. Num. 7. 1986. p. 424-426.
-Martarelli, D.; Verdenelli, M.C.; Scuri, S.; Cocchioni, M.; Silvi, S.; Cecchini, C.; Pompei, P. Effect of a probiotic intake on oxidant and antioxidant parameters in plasma of athletes during intense exercise training. Current Microbiology. Vol. 62. Num. 6. 2011. p. 1689-1696.
-Michalickova, D.; Minic, R.; Dikic, N.; Andjelkovic, M.; Kostic-Vucicevic, M.; Stojmenovic, T.; Nikolic, I.; Djordjevic, B. Lactobacillus helveticus Lafti L10 supplementation reduces respiratory infection duration in a cohort of elite athletes: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism. Vol. 41. Num. 7. 2016. p. 782-789.
-Moloney, R.D.; Desbonnet, L.; Clarke, G.; Dinan, T.G.; Cryan, J.F. The microbiome: Stress, health and disease. Mammalian Genome. Vol. 25. Num. 1-2. 2014. p. 49-74.
-Monteiro, R.; Azevedo, I. Chronic inflammation in obesity and the metabolic syndrome. Mediators of Inflammation. Vol. 2010. 2010. p. 1-10.
-Morgan, J.A.; Corrigan, F.; Baune, B.T. Effects of physical exercise on central nervous system functions: a review of brain region specific adaptations. Journal of Molecular Psychiatry. Vol. 3. Num. 1. 2015. p. 1-13.
-Muhamad, A.; Gleeson, M. Effects of a 14-strain Probiotics Supplement on Salivary Antimicrobial Proteins at Rest and in Response to an Acute Bout of Prolonged Exercise. International Journal of Sports Science. Vol. 2014. Num. 2. 2014. p. 60-66.
-O’Brien, K.V.; Stewart, L.K.; Forney, L.A.; Aryana, K.J.; Prinyawiwatkul, W.; Boeneke, C.A. The effects of postexercise consumption of a kefir beverage on performance and recovery during intensive endurance training. Journal of Dairy Science. Vol. 98. Num. 11. 2015. p. 7446-7449.
-Oliveira, E.P.; Burini, R.C.; Jeukendrup, A. Gastrointestinal complaints during exercise: Prevalence, etiology, and nutritional recommendations. Sports Medicine. Vol. 44. 2014. p. 79-85.
-Parkes, G.C. The Role of Probiotics in the Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Bioactive Foods in Promoting Health. Vol. 38. 2010. p. 513-528.
-Peternelj, T.T.; Coombes, J.S. Antioxidant supplementation during exercise training: Beneficial or detrimental? Sports Medicine. Vol. 41. Num. 12. 2011. p. 1043-1069.
-Przewłócka, K.; Folwarski, M.; Kaźmierczak-Siedlecka, K.; Skonieczna-żydecka, K.; Kaczor, J.J.J.J.; Zydecka, K.S. Gut-Muscle Axis Exists and May Affect Skeletal. Nutrients. Vol. 12. Num. 5. 2020. p. 1-19.
-Purvis, D.; Gonsalves, S.; Deuster, P.A. Physiological and Psychological Fatigue in Extreme Conditions: Overtraining and Elite Athletes. PM and R. Vol. 2. Num. 5. 2010. p. 442-450.
-Rajilić-Stojanović, M.; de Vos, W.M. The first 1000 cultured species of the human gastrointestinal microbiota. FEMS Microbiology Reviews. Vol. 38. Num. 5. 2014. p. 996-1047.
-Roberts, J.D.; Suckling, C.A.; Peedle, G.Y.; Murphy, J.A.; Dawkins, T.G.; Roberts, M.G. An exploratory investigation of endotoxin levels in novice long distance triathletes,and the effects of a multi-strain probiotic/prebiotic,antioxidant intervention. Nutrients. Vol. 8. Num. 11. 2016. p. 1-18.
-Salehzadeh, K. The Effects of Probiotic Yogurt Drink on Lipid Profile, CRP and Record Changes in Aerobic Athletes. International Journal of Life Sciences. Vol. 9. Num. 4. 2015. p. 32-7.
-Szuhanya, K.L.; Bugattia, M.; Otto, M.W. A meta-analytic review of the effects of exercise on brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Bone. Vol. 23. Num. 1. 2008. p. 1-7.
-Townsend, J.; Bender, D.; Vantrease, W.; Sapp, P.; Toy, A.; Woods, C.; Johnson, K. Effects of Probiotic (Bacillus subtilis DE111) Supplementation on Immune Function, Hormonal Status, and Physical Performance in Division I Baseball Players. Sports. Vol. 6. Num. 3. 2018. p. 70-88.
-Turner, J.R. Intestinal mucosal barrier function in health and disease. Nature Reviews Immunology. Vol. 9. Num. 11. 2009. p. 799-809.
-Ulrich-Lai, Y.M.; Herman, J.P. Neural regulation of endocrine and autonomic stress responses. Nature Reviews Neuroscience. Vol. 10. Num. 6. 2009. p. 397-409.
-Ursell, L.K.; Metcalf, J.L.; Parfrey, L.W.; Knight, R. Defining the human microbiome. Nutrition Reviews. Vol. 70. 2012. p. S38-S34.
-Valente-Silva, P.; Ruas, J.L. Tryptophan-kynurenine metabolites in exercise and mental health. Research and Perspectives in Endocrine Interactions. Vol. 1 2017. p. 83-91.
-West, N.P.; Pyne, D.B.; Cripps, A.W.; Hopkins, W.G.; Eskesen, D.C.; Jairath, A.; Christophersen, C.; Conlon, M.; Fricker, P. Lactobacillus fermentum (PCC) supplementation and gastrointestinal and respiratory-tract illness symptoms: A randomised control trial in athletes. Nutrition Journal. Vol. 10. Num. 1. 2011. p. 1-11.
-Wu, G.D.; Chen, J.; Hoffmann, C.; Bittinger, K.; Chen, Y.Y.; Keilbaugh, S.A. Linking long-term dietary patterns with gut microbial enterotypes. Science. Vol. 334. Num. 6052. 2011. p. 105-108.
-Wu, G.D.; Compher, C.; Chen, E.Z.; Smith, S.A.; Shah, R.D.; Bittinger, K.; Chehound, C.; Albenberg, L.; Nessel, L.; Gilroy, E.; Star, J.; Weljie, A.; Flint, H.; Metz, D.; Bennett, M.; Li, H.; Bushman, F.; Lewis, J. Comparative metabolomics in vegans and omnivores reveal constraints on diet-dependent gut microbiota metabolite production. Gut. Vol. 65. Num. 1. 2016. p. 63-72.
Copyright (c) 2024 Artur de Oliveira Motta, Giuseppe Potrick Stefani
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish in this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain the copyright and grant the journal the right of first publication, with work simultaneously licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License BY-NC which allows the sharing of the work with acknowledgment of the authorship of the work and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are authorized to enter into additional contracts separately for non-exclusive distribution of the version of the work published in this journal (eg, publishing in institutional repository or book chapter), with acknowledgment of authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are allowed and encouraged to post and distribute their work online (eg, in institutional repositories or on their personal page) at any point before or during the editorial process, as this can bring about productive change as well as increase impact and impact. citation of published work (See The Effect of Free Access).
