DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences, Danisco Sweeteners Oy, Sokeritehtaantie 20, 02460 Kantvik, Finland.
Nutrients. 2020 Sep 25;12(10):2936. doi: 10.3390/nu12102936.
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.
在运动员中，营养起着关键作用，支持训练、表现和运动后的恢复。研究主要集中在饮食对支持运动员体格的影响上；然而，肠道微生物群的作用却被大大忽视了。新出现的证据表明，肠道微生物群组成与身体活动之间存在关联，这表明肠道微生物群组成的改变可能有助于宿主的身体表现。益生菌是一种有益地影响肠道微生物群组成/功能的潜在手段，但也会影响宿主的整体健康。在这篇综述中，我们概述了现有的研究，这些研究检查了身体活动和肠道微生物群之间的相互作用。我们进一步评估了支持益生菌对运动员身体表现、运动后恢复和认知结果影响的临床证据。此外，我们讨论了益生菌影响运动结果的作用机制。总之，有益的微生物，包括益生菌，可能促进运动员的健康并提高身体表现和运动能力。此外，仍然需要高质量的临床研究，具有足够的效力，以揭示肠道微生物群和益生菌在身体表现中的作用以及它们潜在益处的作用模式。
