Gut Microbiota, Probiotics and Physical Performance in Athletes and Physically Active Individuals
DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences, Danisco Sweeteners Oy, Sokeritehtaantie 20, 02460 Kantvik, Finland
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Nutrients 2020, 12(10), 2936; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12102936
Received: 25 August 2020
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Revised: 22 September 2020
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Accepted: 24 September 2020
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Published: 25 September 2020
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Athletic Performance)
Among athletes, nutrition plays a key role, supporting training, performance, and post-exercise recovery. Research has primarily focused on the effects of diet in support of an athletic physique; however, the role played by intestinal microbiota has been much neglected. Emerging evidence has shown an association between the intestinal microbiota composition and physical activity, suggesting that modifications in the gut microbiota composition may contribute to physical performance of the host. Probiotics represent a potential means for beneficially influencing the gut microbiota composition/function but can also impact the overall health of the host. In this review, we provide an overview of the existing studies that have examined the reciprocal interactions between physical activity and gut microbiota. We further evaluate the clinical evidence that supports the effects of probiotics on physical performance, post-exercise recovery, and cognitive outcomes among athletes. In addition, we discuss the mechanisms of action through which probiotics affect exercise outcomes. In summary, beneficial microbes, including probiotics, may promote health in athletes and enhance physical performance and exercise capacity. Furthermore, high-quality clinical studies, with adequate power, remain necessary to uncover the roles that are played by gut microbiota populations and probiotics in physical performance and the modes of action behind their potential benefits.
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Keywords:
gut microbiota; probiotics; athletes; exercise; physical activity; physical performance; cognitive performance; recovery
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MDPI and ACS Style
Marttinen, M.; Ala-Jaakkola, R.; Laitila, A.; Lehtinen, M.J. Gut Microbiota, Probiotics and Physical Performance in Athletes and Physically Active Individuals. Nutrients 2020, 12, 2936. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12102936
AMA Style
Marttinen M, Ala-Jaakkola R, Laitila A, Lehtinen MJ. Gut Microbiota, Probiotics and Physical Performance in Athletes and Physically Active Individuals. Nutrients. 2020; 12(10):2936. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12102936
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarttinen, Maija, Reeta Ala-Jaakkola, Arja Laitila, and Markus J. Lehtinen. 2020. "Gut Microbiota, Probiotics and Physical Performance in Athletes and Physically Active Individuals" Nutrients 12, no. 10: 2936. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12102936
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