Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bahcesehir University, Istanbul, Türkiye -
Institute of Gastroenterology, Marmara University, Istanbul, Türkiye.
J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2023 Nov;63(11):1235-1243. doi: 10.23736/S0022-4707.23.15103-6. Epub 2023 Jul 24.
The interest in the effect of gut microbiota on athlete health has increased in recent years. Available data indicate a relationship between gut microbiota composition and physical activity, suggesting that changes in the microbiota may contribute to the host's physical performance. Studies show that leaky gut syndrome is highly correlated with upper respiratory infections and gastrointestinal disorders in endurance sports. This study aims to reveal the relationship between microbiota profiles, and the nutritional status of football players who perform endurance exercises.
Twenty male professional football players playing in one of the Turkish Football Federation Second League clubs participated in the study. Fecal samples were collected and stored at -86 °C, and the fecal microbiota was analyzed through 16s rRNA gene sequencing. The body composition of the football players was measured using a bioelectrical impedance analyzer. In addition, the 3-day food intake of the participants was recorded with the help of a dietitian.
In the microbiota of football players, four phyla, 10 genera, and four species with densities above 1% were found. Body fat percentage was observed to be negatively correlated with the species of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Bacteroides vulgatus and the genus of Faecalibacterium (P<0.05). Considering the nutritional status, the fat intake was found to be positively correlated with Actinobacteria and Blautia coccoides; energy and fiber intake with Prevotella and Prevotella copri (P<0.05). In addition, there was a negative correlation between carbohydrate intake and Faecalibacterium (P<0.05).
Our study is the first to reveal the microbiota profile of professional Turkish football players. It was found that football players' nutritional status and anthropometric measurements of are significantly related to phylum, genus and species ranks in the microbiota. These results support the bidirectional interaction between microbiota and sports. The relationship between microbiota and sports health/performance is thought to be further clarified with future studies.
近年来，人们对肠道微生物群对运动员健康的影响产生了浓厚的兴趣。现有数据表明肠道微生物群组成与体育活动之间存在关联，这表明微生物群的变化可能有助于宿主的身体表现。研究表明，肠漏综合征与耐力运动中的上呼吸道感染和胃肠道疾病高度相关。本研究旨在揭示肠道微生物群谱与进行耐力运动的足球运动员营养状况之间的关系。
本研究纳入了一家土耳其足球联合会二级联赛俱乐部的 20 名男性职业足球运动员。采集粪便样本并储存在-86°C，通过 16s rRNA 基因测序分析粪便微生物群。使用生物电阻抗分析仪测量足球运动员的身体成分。此外，在营养师的帮助下记录了参与者的 3 天饮食摄入量。
在足球运动员的微生物群中，发现了四个门、十个属和四个密度超过 1%的种。体脂百分比与 Faecalibacterium prausnitzii 和 Bacteroides vulgatus 以及 Faecalibacterium 属的物种呈负相关（P<0.05）。考虑到营养状况，发现脂肪摄入量与 Actinobacteria 和 Blautia coccoides 呈正相关；能量和纤维摄入量与 Prevotella 和 Prevotella copri 呈正相关（P<0.05）。此外，碳水化合物摄入量与 Faecalibacterium 呈负相关（P<0.05）。
本研究首次揭示了专业土耳其足球运动员的微生物群谱。研究发现，足球运动员的营养状况和人体测量指标与微生物群的门、属和种的等级显著相关。这些结果支持了微生物群与运动之间的双向相互作用。未来的研究将进一步阐明微生物群与运动健康/表现之间的关系。
