Probiotics supplementation for athletes - clinical and physiological effects

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Microbiology
• Immunology

Background:

• Probiotic supplementation traditionally targets gut health.
• Recent research expands probiotic applications to allergic, metabolic, inflammatory, gastrointestinal, and respiratory conditions.
• Athlete gastrointestinal health is vital for exercise adaptation, with symptoms like nausea and pain occurring during intense activity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the clinical applications of probiotics in athletes.
• To examine the evidence for probiotic supplementation in athletes and highly active individuals.
• To discuss the mechanisms of action and practical considerations for probiotic use in sports.

Main Methods:

• Review of studies published since 2006 on probiotic supplementation in athletes.
• Analysis of clinical benefits related to respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses.
• Exploration of proposed mechanisms of action for probiotics.

Main Results:

• Several studies indicate modest clinical benefits from probiotic supplementation in athletes.
• Benefits include reduced frequency, severity, and/or duration of respiratory and gastrointestinal illness.
• Probiotics may act through gut microbiota interaction, mucosal immune system modulation, and systemic immune signaling.

Conclusions:

• Probiotic supplementation shows potential for improving athlete health and performance.
• Mechanisms involve direct microbial effects, immune modulation, and systemic signaling.
• Practical considerations like screening, sourcing, dosage, and timing are crucial for effective implementation.