The Importance of Microbiota in Sports Nutrition

Abstract

Recent studies have addressed the effects of the microbiota on the human body. The presence of the microbiota varies depending on the composition of bacteria colonizing the digestive system, genetic makeup, lifestyle, antibiotic use, and the presence of diseases. A person's diet is crucial for the diversity of microbiota species. Studies have shown the effects of probiotic use on the gut microbiota in athletes. Physical activity increases the number of bacteria, particularly those belonging to the Clostridiales order and the genera Lactobacillus, Prevotella, Bacteroides, and Veillonella, and these numbers vary depending on the sport. These bacteria are found in athletes participating in sports requiring high VO2 max. Athletes' nutrition also influences the composition of the microbiota. A high-fiber diet increases the amount of probiotic microorganisms such as Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium bacteria, indicating the need to add probiotics and prebiotics to the diet. It is not possible to give a definitive answer as to how the gastrointestinal microbiota changes in athletes, and further studies and analysis are required. This study describes the relationships between physical activity, nutrition, and digestive system microbiota in athletes, and the differences in microbial composition in various sports.

Keywords

• microbiota
• sports nutrition
• probiotics

SPORCU BESLENMESİNDE MİKROBİYOTANIN ÖNEMİ

Abstract

Son yıllarda güncel çalışmalarda mikrobiyotanın insan vücudu üzerindeki etkilerine değinilmektedir. Mikrobiyotanın varlığı, kişinin sindirim sistemini kolonize eden bakterilerin bileşimine, genetik yapısına, yaşam tarzına, antibiyotik kullanımına ve hastalıkların varlığına bağlı olarak değişmektedir. Kişinin beslenmesi mikrobiyotanın tür çeşitliliğinde oldukça önemlidir. Çalışmalarda sporcuların probiyotik kullanımının bağırsak mikrobiyotası üzerindeki etkileri gösterilmektedir. Fiziksel aktivite, özellikle Clostridiales takımına ve Lactobacillus, Prevotella, Bacteroides ve Veillonella cinslerine ait bakterilerin sayısını artırır ve sayıları spor dalına göre değişmektedir. Bu bakteriler, yüksek VO2 max gerektiren spor branşlarındaki sporcularda bulunmaktadır. Sporcuların beslenmesi de mikrobiyotanın bileşimini etkiler. Posadan zengin bir diyet, probiyotik mikroorganizmalar olan Lactobacillus veya Bifidobacterium bakterilerinin miktarını artırır; bu da diyete probiyotik ve prebiyotik eklenmesi ihtiyacını gösterir. Sporcularda gastrointestinal sistem mikrobiyotasının nasıl değiştiğine dair kesin bir cevap vermek mümkün değildir ve daha fazla çalışma ve analiz gerektirir. Bu çalışmada sporcularda fiziksel aktivite, beslenme ve sindirim sistemi mikrobiyotası, çeşitli spor dallarındaki mikrobiyal bileşimdeki farklılıklar arasındaki ilişkiler anlatılmaktadır.

Keywords

• mirobiyota
• sporcu beslenmesi
• probiyotikler

References

1. Akazawa, N., Nakamura, M., Eda, N., Murakami, H., Nakagata, T., Nanri, H., Park, J., Hosomi, K., Mizuguchi, K., Kunisawa, J., Miyachi, M., & Hoshikawa, M. (2023). Gut microbiota alternation with training periodization and physical fitness in Japanese elite athletes. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 5, 1219345. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2023.1219345
2. Barton, W., Penney, N. C., Cronin, O., Garcia-Perez, I., Molloy, M. G., Holmes, E., Shanahan, F., Cotter, P. D., & O'Sullivan, O. (2018). The microbiome of professional athletes differs from that of more sedentary subjects in composition and particularly at the functional metabolic level. Gut, 67(4), 625–633. https://doi.org/10.1136/gutjnl-2016-313627
3. Carlone, J., Giampaoli, S., Alladio, E., Rosellini, G., Barni, F., Salata, E., Parisi, A., Fasano, A., & Tessitore, A. (2025). Dynamic stability of gut microbiota in elite volleyball athletes: Microbial adaptations during training, competition and recovery. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 7, 1662964. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2025.1662964
4. Chassard, C., & Lacroix, C. (2013). Carbohydrates and the human gut microbiota. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care, 16(4), 453–460. https://doi.org/10.1097/MCO.0b013e3283619e63
5. Chen, X., Xie, L., & Li, B. (2026). Impact of sport disciplines on gut microbiota in elite athletes: Evidence from Taekwondo and diving athletes. Frontiers in Microbiology, 17, 1770499. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1770499
6. Clarke, S. F., Murphy, E. F., O'Sullivan, O., Lucey, A. J., Humphreys, M., Hogan, A., Hayes, P., O'Reilly, M., Jeffery, I. B., Wood-Martin, R., Kerins, D. M., Quigley, E., Ross, R. P., O'Toole, P. W., Molloy, M. G., Falvey, E., Shanahan, F., & Cotter, P. D. (2014). Exercise and associated dietary extremes impact on gut microbial diversity. Gut, 63(12), 1913–1920. https://doi.org/10.1136/gutjnl-2013-306541
7. Desbonnet, L., Garrett, L., Clarke, G., Kiely, B., Cryan, J. F., & Dinan, T. G. (2010). Effects of the probiotic Bifidobacterium infantis in the maternal separation model of depression. Neuroscience, 170(4), 1179–1188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2010.08.005
8. Di Mauro, A., Neu, J., Riezzo, G., Raimondi, F., Martinelli, D., Francavilla, R., & Indrio, F. (2013). Gastrointestinal function development and microbiota. Italian Journal of Pediatrics, 39, 15. https://doi.org/10.1186/1824-7288-39-15

9. Durk, R. P., Castillo, E., Márquez-Magaña, L., Grosicki, G. J., Bolter, N. D., Lee, C. M., & Bagley, J. M. (2019). Gut microbiota composition is related to cardiorespiratory fitness in healthy young adults. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 29(3), 249–253. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2018-0024
10. Gallè, F., Valeriani, F., Cattaruzza, M. S., Gianfranceschi, G., Liguori, R., Antinozzi, M., Mederer, B., Liguori, G., & Romano Spica, V. (2020). Mediterranean diet, physical activity and gut microbiome composition: A cross-sectional study among healthy young Italian adults. Nutrients, 12(7), 2164. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12072164
11. Han, M., Yang, K., Yang, P., Zhong, C., Chen, C., Wang, S., Lu, Q., & Ning, K. (2020). Stratification of athletes' gut microbiota: The multifaceted hubs associated with dietary factors, physical characteristics and performance. Gut Microbes, 12(1), 1842991. https://doi.org/10.1080/19490976.2020.1842991
12. Hao, X., & Zhang, X. (2026). Editorial: Diet and exercise: Modulating gut microbiota for enhanced physiological function. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 7, 1764433. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2025.1764433
13. Henningsen, K., Gaskell, S. K., Young, P., Mika, A., Henry, R., & Costa, R. J. S. (2025). The impact of ultra-marathon running on the gut microbiota as determined by faecal bacterial profiling, and its relationship with exercise-associated gastrointestinal symptoms: An exploratory investigation. Nutrients, 17(20), 3275. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17203275
14. Jäger, R., Mohr, A. E., Carpenter, K. C., Kerksick, C. M., Purpura, M., Moussa, A., Townsend, J. R., Lamprecht, M., West, N. P., Black, K., Gleeson, M., Pyne, D. B., Wells, S. D., Arent, S. M., Smith-Ryan, A. E., Kreider, R. B., Campbell, B. I., Bannock, L., Scheiman, J., ... Antonio, J. (2019). International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: Probiotics. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 16, 62. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-019-0329-0
15. Jandhyala, S. M., Talukdar, R., Subramanyam, C., Vuyyuru, H., Sasikala, M., & Nageshwar Reddy, D. (2015). Role of the normal gut microbiota. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 21(29), 8787–8803. https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v21.i29.8787
16. Jang, L.-G., Choi, G., Kim, S.-W., Kim, B.-Y., Lee, S., & Park, H. (2019). The combination of sport and sport-specific diet is associated with characteristics of gut microbiota: An observational study. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 16, 21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-019-0290-y
17. Lenz, C., Seel, W., Dombrowski, T., Hacker, S., Simon, M. C., Zentgraf, K., Dawczynski, C., & Krüger, K. (2026). Signatures in the gut microbiome of German elite athletes: Insights from a matched-subgroup analysis. mSystems, 11(7), e00489-26. https://doi.org/10.1128/msystems.00489-26
18. Lozupone, C. A., Stombaugh, J. I., Gordon, J. I., Jansson, J. K., & Knight, R. (2012). Diversity, stability and resilience of the human gut microbiota. Nature, 489(7415), 220–230. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature11550
19. Maughan, R. J., Burke, L. M., Dvorak, J., Larson-Meyer, D. E., Peeling, P., Phillips, S. M., Rawson, E. S., Walsh, N. P., Garthe, I., Geyer, H., Meeusen, R., van Loon, L. J. C., Shirreffs, S. M., Spriet, L. L., Stuart, M., Vernec, A., Currell, K., Ali, V. M., Budgett, R. G. M., ... Engebretsen, L. (2018). IOC consensus statement: Dietary supplements and the high-performance athlete. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 28(2), 104–125. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2018-0020
20. Manor, O., Dai, C. L., Kornilov, S. A., Smith, B., Price, N. D., Lovejoy, J. C., Gibbons, S. M., & Magis, A. T. (2020). Health and disease markers correlate with gut microbiome composition across thousands of people. Nature Communications, 11, 5206. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-18871-1
21. Mańkowska, K., Marchelek-Myśliwiec, M., Kochan, P., Kosik-Bogacka, D., Konopka, T., Grygorcewicz, B., Roszkowska, P., Cecerska-Heryć, E., Siennicka, A., Konopka, J., & Dołęgowska, B. (2022). Microbiota in sports. Archives of Microbiology, 204(8), 485. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-022-03111-5
22. McFadzean, R. (2014). Exercise can help modulate human gut microbiota [Undergraduate honors thesis]. University of Colorado Boulder.
23. Mei-hua, S., Jia-Hui, J., Wen-Long, D., Jian-Ming, C., Yu-Fei, Q., & Jian-Hua, C. (2025). Study of the effect of exercise fatigue on the gut microbiota of boxers. Frontiers in Microbiology, 16, 1531490. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1531490
24. Olszewska, J., & Jagusztyn-Krynicka, E. K. (2012). Human Microbiome Project–mikroflora jelit oraz jej wpływ na fizjologię i zdrowie człowieka. Post Mikrobiol, 51(4), 243-256.
25. Öneş, E., Zavotçu, M., Nisan, N., Baş, M., & Sağlam, D. (2025). Effects of kefir consumption on gut microbiota and athletic performance in professional female soccer players: A randomized controlled trial. Nutrients, 17(3), 512. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17030512
26. Pane, M., Amoruso, A., Deidda, F., Graziano, T., Allesina, S., & Mogna, L. (2018). Gut microbiota, probiotics, and sports: From clinical evidence to antagonistic performance. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, 52, S46–S49. https://doi.org/10.1097/MCG.0000000000001058
27. Petersen, L. M., Bautista, E. J., Nguyen, H., Hanson, B. M., Chen, L., Lek, S. H., Sodergren, E., & Weinstock, G. M. (2017). Community characteristics of the gut microbiomes of competitive cyclists. Microbiome, 5(1), 98. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40168-017-0320-4
28. Rodriguez, N. R., DiMarco, N. M., & Langley, S. (2009). American Dietetic Association, Dietitians of Canada, and American College of Sports Medicine: Nutrition and athletic performance. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 109(3), 509–527.
29. Sánchez, B., Delgado, S., Blanco-Míguez, A., Lourenço, A., Gueimonde, M., & Margolles, A. (2017). Probiotics, gut microbiota, and their influence on host health and disease. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, 61(1), 1600240. https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.201600240
30. Scheiman, J., Luber, J. M., Chavkin, T. A., MacDonald, T., Tung, A., Pham, L.-D., Wibowo, M. C., Wurth, R. C., Punthambaker, S., Tierney, B. T., Yang, Z., Hattab, M. W., Avila-Pacheco, J., Clish, C. B., Lessard, S., Church, G. M., & Kostic, A. D. (2019). Meta-omics analysis of elite athletes identifies a performance-enhancing microbe that functions via lactate metabolism. Nature Medicine, 25(7), 1104–1109. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-019-0485-4
31. Shalmon, G., Shapira, G., Ibrahim, R., Israel-Elgali, I., Grad, M., Shlayem, R., Youngster, I., Scheinowitz, M., & Shomron, N. (2026). Gut microbiota composition correlates with PBMC microRNA expression following maximal exercise testing in endurance athletes. Frontiers in Microbiomes, 5, 1734737. https://doi.org/10.3389/frmbi.2026.1734737
32. Uchida, S., Oh, T., Shida, H., Suzuki, K., Yamagata, Y., Mizokami, Y., Bukawa, K., Tanaka, K., & Shoda, J. (2021). Effects of exercise on the oral microbiota and saliva of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(7), 3470. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18073470
33. Volpini, V., Bricca, S., Ubaldi, F., Ghaffar, T., Platania, S., Valeriani, F., & Romano Spica, V. (2026). Regulation of the gut microbiota through meditation and exercise: Potential for enhancing physical well-being across all ages in the twenty-first century. Sports Medicine and Health Science, 8(3), 350–362. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smhs.2025.07.007
34. Yang, J., Zhu, H., Yao, B., Zhang, W., Xing, X., Cheng, W., & Dong, C. (2026). The impact of caffeine-mediated gut microbiota regulation on the athletic performance of football players. Biology of Sport, 43, 115–125. https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.153312
35. Zöhrer, A., Unterberger, S., Aschauer, R., Draxler, A., Somloi, S., Kapeller, M., Bauer, T., Heinz, C., Reichstam, S., Franzke, B., Strasser, E. M., Hausmann, B., Pjevac, P., Berry, D., Wessner, B., & Wagner, K.-H. (2026). The impact of a high-protein diet with strength training on the gastrointestinal microbiota in community-dwelling older adults: Subanalysis of a randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Nutrition, 12, 1712451. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2025.1712451