Work

Exercise and Diet Reshape Athletes’ Gut Microbiota: Countering Health Challenges in Athletes

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: With the advancement of modern competitive sports, specialized training regimens and tailored dietary patterns collectively shape a distinctive gut microbiota in athletes. This unique ecosystem exhibits high microbial diversity and is enriched with beneficial bacteria-such as short-chain fatty acid-producing strains-that contribute to enhanced athletic performance, support energy homeostasis and neural coordination, and mitigate exercise-induced injuries, thereby improving competitive outcomes. This review elaborates on the characteristics of the athlete gut microbiome across different exercise modalities, examines how microbial changes may benefit or pose risks to athlete health, and provides a unique perspective for developing microbiota-driven personalized nutrition strategies aimed at optimizing athletic performance.

Source: Life

DOI: 10.3390/life15121812

Authors: Xiao’e Zhang, Yao Li, Fen Zhang, Guicheng Zhou

Institutions: Jiangxi Normal University, Jinan University

Language: English

Topic: Gut microbiota and health

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137