Shiraz University, Department of Sport Science, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Shiraz, Iran.
J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2024 Dec;21(1):2382165. doi: 10.1080/15502783.2024.2382165. Epub 2024 Jul 22.
In the realm of sports science, nutrition is a well-established pillar for athletes' training, performance, and post-workout recovery. However, the role of gut microbiota, often overlooked, is a novel and intriguing aspect that can significantly impact athletic performance. With this in mind, our study ventures into uncharted territory, investigating the effect of probiotic and casein supplementation on the aerobic capacity of male soccer players.
A double-blinded and placebo-controlled study was conducted with 44 male soccer players (Age: 22.81 ± 2.76 yr, Height: 177.90 ± 6.75 cm, Weight: 67.42 ± 8.44 kg). The participants were subjected to the Bruce test in the beginning; then, they were randomly divided into four groups, each consisting of 11 people: probiotics (PRO), casein (CAS), probiotics with casein (PRO+CAS), and placebo (PLA). PRO group was given one probiotic capsule (containing strains of BP06, Lacticaseibacillus casei BP07, BA05, BD08 , BI04, BL03, BB02 and BT01, with a total dose of 4.5 × 10 CFU) during dinner, while the CAS group consumed 20 grams of casein powder 45 minutes before bed. The PRO+CAS group was given one probiotic capsule during dinner and 20 grams of casein powder 45 minutes before bed. The participants in the PLA group were given one red capsule (containing 5 grams of starch) during dinner. All participants were instructed to take the supplements only on training days, three times a week for four weeks. The maximal oxygen consumption (VO), Ventilatory Threshold (VT), Time-to-exhaustion (TTE), Respiratory Compensation Point (RCP), Isocapnic area Time (Time-IC), Isocapnic area oxygen consumption (VO-IC), and Hypocapnic Hyperventilation area Time (Time-HHV), after the Bruce test were Measured. All data were analyzed using SPSS Windows software, mixed repeated measure ANOVA, and Bonferroni post hoc test at < 0.05 level.
The current study's findings illustrated that, after the intervention, TTE ( = 0.01) and RCP ( = 0.01) were significantly improved in PRO+CAS compared to the PLA group. No significant difference was observed between PRO and PLA ( = 0.52), PRO and CAS ( = 0.999), PRO and PRO+CAS ( = 0.9), CAS and PLA ( = 0.65), CAS and PRO+CAS ( = 0.73) in TTE. In addition, no significant difference was observed between PRO and CAS ( = 0.999), PRO and PLA ( = 0.40), PRO and PRO+CAS ( = 0.999), CAS and PLA ( = 0.263), CAS and PRO+CAS ( = 0.999) in RCP. Time-HHV was significantly higher in PRO+CAS ( = 0.000) and CAS ( = 0.047) compared to the PLA group. However, no significant difference was observed in the Time-HHV between PRO and CAS ( = 0.999), PRO and PRO+CAS ( = 0.25), PRO and PLA ( = 0.12), and CAS and PRO+CAS ( = 0.57). Additionally, all the groups had no significant differences in VO, VT1, VO-IC and Time-IC.
The findings showed that consuming probiotics and casein could relatively improve the aerobic capacity of male soccer players. Nevertheless, simultaneous consumption of probiotics and casein had a more pronounced effect on aerobic capacity indicators, especially TTE and Time-HHV.
在运动科学领域，营养是运动员训练、表现和锻炼后恢复的重要支柱。然而，肠道微生物群常常被忽视，它是一个新颖而有趣的方面，可以显著影响运动员的表现。考虑到这一点，我们的研究进入了未知领域，调查益生菌和乳清蛋白补充剂对男性足球运动员有氧能力的影响。
我们进行了一项双盲、安慰剂对照的研究，共有 44 名男性足球运动员（年龄：22.81±2.76 岁，身高：177.90±6.75cm，体重：67.42±8.44kg）参与。参与者在开始时进行布鲁斯测试；然后，他们被随机分为四组，每组 11 人：益生菌（PRO）、乳清蛋白（CAS）、益生菌加乳清蛋白（PRO+CAS）和安慰剂（PLA）。PRO 组在晚餐时服用一粒益生菌胶囊（含有 BP06、Lacticaseibacillus casei BP07、BA05、BD08、BI04、BL03、BB02 和 BT01 菌株，总剂量为 4.5×10 CFU），而 CAS 组在睡前 45 分钟内消耗 20 克乳清蛋白粉。PRO+CAS 组在晚餐时服用一粒益生菌胶囊，睡前 45 分钟内消耗 20 克乳清蛋白粉。PLA 组的参与者在晚餐时服用一粒红色胶囊（含 5 克淀粉）。所有参与者均被指示仅在训练日服用补充剂，每周三次，持续四周。在布鲁斯测试后测量最大摄氧量（VO）、通气阈（VT）、耗竭时间（TTE）、呼吸补偿点（RCP）、等碳酸化时间（Time-IC）、等碳酸化氧耗（VO-IC）和低碳酸血症过度通气区时间（Time-HHV）。使用 SPSS Windows 软件、混合重复测量 ANOVA 和 Bonferroni 事后检验进行数据分析，显著性水平为 <0.05。
本研究结果表明，干预后，PRO+CAS 组的 TTE（ = 0.01）和 RCP（ = 0.01）明显优于 PLA 组。PRO 与 PLA（ = 0.52）、PRO 与 CAS（ = 0.999）、PRO 与 PRO+CAS（ = 0.9）、CAS 与 PLA（ = 0.65）、CAS 与 PRO+CAS（ = 0.73）之间的 TTE 无显著差异。此外，PRO 与 CAS（ = 0.999）、PRO 与 PLA（ = 0.40）、PRO 与 PRO+CAS（ = 0.999）、CAS 与 PLA（ = 0.263）、CAS 与 PRO+CAS（ = 0.999）之间的 RCP 无显著差异。PRO+CAS（ = 0.000）和 CAS（ = 0.047）组的 Time-HHV 明显高于 PLA 组。然而，PRO 与 CAS（ = 0.999）、PRO 与 PRO+CAS（ = 0.25）、PRO 与 PLA（ = 0.12）和 CAS 与 PRO+CAS（ = 0.57）之间的 Time-HHV 无显著差异。此外，所有组在 VO、VT1、VO-IC 和 Time-IC 方面均无显著差异。
研究结果表明，摄入益生菌和乳清蛋白可以相对提高男性足球运动员的有氧能力。然而，同时摄入益生菌和乳清蛋白对有氧能力指标，特别是 TTE 和 Time-HHV，有更显著的影响。
