Characteristics of the gut microbiome of Swiss elite athletes with a spinal cord injury: An exploratory study

To illustrate and explore associations between the gut microbiome and spinal cord injury (SCI) characteristics, physical training, dietary intake, body composition, and blood biomarkers of elite Swiss athletes.

Baseline data analysis of athletes with SCI who participated in a pilot trial (NCT04659408) in the Swiss Paraplegic Center, Nottwil, Switzerland.

Elite athletes, five males, and six females, with SCI who competed internationally.

We conducted a differential abundance analysis and measured the alpha and beta diversity of the gut microbiome.

The athletes' median age was 34.5 years. Six had traumatic SCI and five had a spina bifida. The athletes competed in para-cycling (5), wheelchair athletics (3), and wheelchair tennis (3). A higher duration of training per week was positively associated with Akkermansia and Akkermansiaceae but negatively associated with Prevotellaceae. Muribaculaceae was negatively associated with the average number of trainings per week. Waist circumference is negatively associated with Butyricimonas. Significant differences in the alpha diversity were found with sex, gastrointestinal quality of life index (GIQLI) scores, total caloric intake, total fat intake, total carbohydrate intake, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Beta diversity differences were found with impairment of the sympathetic nervous system of the gut at the genus level and HbA1c at the family level.

This study provides insight into the gut microbiome of athletes with SCI. Our results were similar to those found in athletes without SCI. Further replication is needed to confirm the relationships of organisms observed in the gut of athletes with SCI.