Probiotics in Sports: Modulating the Microbiome for Performance and Health
BackgroundThe human gut microbiome—a dynamic ecosystem of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and archaea—is integral to digestion, immune modulation, metabolism, and systemic health. Its composition is shaped by perinatal factors, genetics, environment, diet, physical activity, and probiotic interventions. M...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Quality in Sport |
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| Online Access: | https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/62412 |
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| author | Katarzyna Moliszewska Paweł Kukiełka Joanna Kośka Gabriela Łocik Julia Mazurek Julia Załęcka Alicja Nowik Kacper Dywan Martyna Musiorska Michał Błaszkiewicz |
| author_facet | Katarzyna Moliszewska Paweł Kukiełka Joanna Kośka Gabriela Łocik Julia Mazurek Julia Załęcka Alicja Nowik Kacper Dywan Martyna Musiorska Michał Błaszkiewicz |
| author_sort | Katarzyna Moliszewska |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundThe human gut microbiome—a dynamic ecosystem of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and archaea—is integral to digestion, immune modulation, metabolism, and systemic health. Its composition is shaped by perinatal factors, genetics, environment, diet, physical activity, and probiotic interventions. Modulating the microbiome through lifestyle and nutritional strategies offers potential for disease prevention and enhanced athletic performance.
AimThis review synthesizes current evidence on factors influencing gut microbiota composition across the lifespan, the systemic impacts of dysbiosis, and the roles of diet, physical activity, and probiotics—particularly in athletic populations—in fostering a health-promoting microbiome.
Material and MethodsA narrative review was conducted using peer-reviewed studies, meta-analyses, and clinical trials sourced from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Topics included microbiome development, lifestyle and dietary influences, exercise-related microbiome adaptations, and probiotic applications.
ResultsPerinatal factors such as delivery mode, breastfeeding, and antibiotics shape early microbiota with long-term health effects. Diet is a primary modulator: fiber- and polyphenol-rich diets enhance microbial diversity, whereas high-protein, low-fiber diets may impair gut health in athletes. Physical activity modifies microbiota structure and function; regular exercise promotes beneficial SCFA-producing taxa, strengthens gut barrier integrity, and supports immune and neurocognitive health. Probiotic supplementation improves gastrointestinal and dermatological conditions, modulates inflammation, and enhances athletic recovery and resilience.
ConclusionsThe gut microbiome is a key determinant of systemic health. Targeted diet, structured physical activity, and personalized probiotic use can optimize microbiota function. In athletes, integrating microbiome profiling with individualized nutrition may enhance performance and recovery.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d5e1c7eaefac4d7c9f4511ffd3f9d9e3 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2450-3118 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Quality in Sport |
| spelling | doaj-art-d5e1c7eaefac4d7c9f4511ffd3f9d9e32025-08-20T02:40:07ZengNicolaus Copernicus University in ToruńQuality in Sport2450-31182025-07-014310.12775/QS.2025.43.62412Probiotics in Sports: Modulating the Microbiome for Performance and HealthKatarzyna Moliszewska0https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5459-4338Paweł Kukiełka1https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0303-6999Joanna Kośka2https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5971-6222Gabriela Łocik3https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8111-279XJulia Mazurek4https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7753-7797Julia Załęcka5https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3851-3066Alicja Nowik6https://orcid.org/0009-0004-0446-0116Kacper Dywan7https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4551-7902Martyna Musiorska8https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9773-5449Michał Błaszkiewicz9https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5417-9688Independent Public Central Clinical Hospital in Warsaw Banacha 1A, 02-097 Warsaw, PolandState Medical Institute of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration in Warsaw Wołoska 137, 02-507 Warsaw, PolandMilitary Institute of Medicine Szaserów 128, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland Wolski Hospital named after dr Anna Gostyńska Marcina Kasprzaka 17, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland Independent Public Clinical Hospital named after prof. Witold Orłowski CMKP Czerniakowska 231, 00-416 Warsaw, Poland Military Institute of Medicine Szaserów 128, 04-141 Warsaw, PolandMilitary Institute of Medicine Szaserów 128, 04-141 Warsaw, PolandRailway Hospital named after dr med. Włodzimierza Roeflera Warsztatowa 1, 05-800 Pruszków, Poland Central Teaching Hospital Of The Medical University Of Lodz Pomorska 251, 92-213 Łódź, Poland State Medical Institute of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration in Warsaw Wołoska 137, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland BackgroundThe human gut microbiome—a dynamic ecosystem of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and archaea—is integral to digestion, immune modulation, metabolism, and systemic health. Its composition is shaped by perinatal factors, genetics, environment, diet, physical activity, and probiotic interventions. Modulating the microbiome through lifestyle and nutritional strategies offers potential for disease prevention and enhanced athletic performance. AimThis review synthesizes current evidence on factors influencing gut microbiota composition across the lifespan, the systemic impacts of dysbiosis, and the roles of diet, physical activity, and probiotics—particularly in athletic populations—in fostering a health-promoting microbiome. Material and MethodsA narrative review was conducted using peer-reviewed studies, meta-analyses, and clinical trials sourced from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Topics included microbiome development, lifestyle and dietary influences, exercise-related microbiome adaptations, and probiotic applications. ResultsPerinatal factors such as delivery mode, breastfeeding, and antibiotics shape early microbiota with long-term health effects. Diet is a primary modulator: fiber- and polyphenol-rich diets enhance microbial diversity, whereas high-protein, low-fiber diets may impair gut health in athletes. Physical activity modifies microbiota structure and function; regular exercise promotes beneficial SCFA-producing taxa, strengthens gut barrier integrity, and supports immune and neurocognitive health. Probiotic supplementation improves gastrointestinal and dermatological conditions, modulates inflammation, and enhances athletic recovery and resilience. ConclusionsThe gut microbiome is a key determinant of systemic health. Targeted diet, structured physical activity, and personalized probiotic use can optimize microbiota function. In athletes, integrating microbiome profiling with individualized nutrition may enhance performance and recovery. https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/62412gut microbiotamicrobiome compositionphysical activityexcercisedietprobiotics |
| spellingShingle | Katarzyna Moliszewska Paweł Kukiełka Joanna Kośka Gabriela Łocik Julia Mazurek Julia Załęcka Alicja Nowik Kacper Dywan Martyna Musiorska Michał Błaszkiewicz Probiotics in Sports: Modulating the Microbiome for Performance and Health Quality in Sport gut microbiota microbiome composition physical activity excercise diet probiotics |
| title | Probiotics in Sports: Modulating the Microbiome for Performance and Health |
| title_full | Probiotics in Sports: Modulating the Microbiome for Performance and Health |
| title_fullStr | Probiotics in Sports: Modulating the Microbiome for Performance and Health |
| title_full_unstemmed | Probiotics in Sports: Modulating the Microbiome for Performance and Health |
| title_short | Probiotics in Sports: Modulating the Microbiome for Performance and Health |
| title_sort | probiotics in sports modulating the microbiome for performance and health |
| topic | gut microbiota microbiome composition physical activity excercise diet probiotics |
| url | https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/62412 |
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