Probiotic supplementation in sports and physical exercise: Does it present any ergogenic effect?

Nutr Health

1 Department of Food and Experimental Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Published: December 2017

Background: Probiotics are live microorganisms that promote health benefits to the host. Evidence indicates that some probiotic strains play an immunomodulatory role and reduce the incidence of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections in athletes and in physical activity practitioners. For this reason, probiotic supplementation could indirectly improve exercise performance. However, recent studies have observed direct ergogenic effects of probiotics, but the mechanisms of action are poorly elucidated.

Objective: In this study, we aim to synthesize available knowledge on the effect of probiotics on physical exercise, identify the mechanisms of action by which probiotics could improve performance directly and indirectly, and verify whether probiotics have any ergogenic effect.

Methods: The study was performed in the PubMed database in February 2017, without limitation as to the publication period. The keyword combinations used were: 'Probiotics' and 'Sports' ( n = 17 articles), 'Probiotics' and 'Exercise' ( n = 26 articles) and 'Probiotics' and 'Athletes' ( n = 11 articles).

Results: Of the 16 studies evaluated, only six applied performance tests, of which only two demonstrated that probiotic supplementation increases performance, but one of them was performed with mice.

Conclusions: According to the studies evaluated, probiotic supplementation does not present ergogenic effect, however, considering the small number of studies, this subject should be better investigated.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0260106017721000DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

probiotic supplementation
16
physical exercise
8
mechanisms action
8
articles 'probiotics'
8
studies evaluated
8
probiotic
5
probiotics
5
supplementation sports
4
sports physical
4
ergogenic
4

Similar Publications

Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune pigmentation disorder shaped by a complex interplay of genetic predispositions and environmental triggers. While conventional therapies-phototherapy, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressants-can be effective, their benefits are often partial and temporary, with recurrence common once treatment stops. As such, there is increasing interest in exploring complementary approaches that may offer a more sustainable impact.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Probiotic Therapy as an Adjuvant in the Treatment of Periodontal Disease: An Innovative Approach.

Medicina (Kaunas)

January 2025

Department of Dental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 10 1st Decembrie Street, 410073 Oradea, Romania.

: Periodontal inflammation, often linked to oral microbiota dysbiosis dominated by pathogenic bacteria, remains a significant challenge in periodontitis management. Traditional periodontal therapies primarily reduce the bacterial load but fail to restore the microbiota balance. Probiotics offer a promising therapeutic adjunct with their ability to enhance beneficial bacteria.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Emerging evidence indicates a close relationship between gut microbiota and fatty liver disease. It has been suggested that gut microbiota modulation with probiotics ameliorates fatty liver disease in rodents and humans, yet it remains unclear whether the same results will also be obtained in poultry. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a mixture of probiotics supplemented after hatching can prevent CORT-induced fatty liver disease in broilers, and to determine how such effects, if any, are associated with hepatic de novo lipogenesis and gut microbiota composition.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

(1) Background: The incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is rising globally. The current evidence indicates that GDM, especially in conjunction with maternal overweight, can alter the composition of infants' gut microbiota, potentially increasing the risk of inflammatory diseases, metabolic disorders, and neurodevelopmental issues later in life. Probiotic supplantation early in life might establish eubiosis and mitigate future complications.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Effects of Supplementation on Growth Performance, Hepatic Lipid Metabolism, and mRNA Expression of Lipid Metabolism Genes and Intestinal Flora in Geese.

Animals (Basel)

January 2025

Heilongjiang Provinal Key Laboratory of Exploration and Innovative Utilization of White Goose Germplasm Resources in Cold Region, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing 163319, China.

The effects of () at a concentration of 1.0 × 10 CFU/mL on growth performance, hepatic lipid metabolism, and mRNA expression related to lipid metabolism, intestinal morphology, and intestinal flora were investigated in geese. A total of 60 male geese, aged 30 days and of similar weight, were randomly assigned to 2 groups.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!