Differences in gut microbiota and metabolites between wrestlers with varying precompetition weight control effect

This study intended to analyze the effects of body weight control by the diet, training adaptation, and gut microbiota metabolites of wrestlers in the week leading up to competition. According to the weight difference of wrestlers from the target weight 1 wk before the competition, those whose weight control effectiveness is less than 2 kg were classified as the CW group, whereas more than 2 kg were classified as the CnW group. The body weight, body composition, and diet of wrestlers were recorded; urine samples were taken for standard urine testing, and stool samples were collected for the analysis of gut microbiota and metabolites. The data showed that the relative values of carbohydrate and fat energy in the CnW group were significantly higher than those of the CW group, but the relative values of protein energy were significantly lower. The white blood cells, occult blood, and protein appeared in urine in the CnW group. The microbiota with higher abundance values in the CnW group were positively correlated with the relative value of carbohydrate energy, while the abundance value of Streptococcus was negatively correlated, and the functional prediction of differential bacteria was related to riboflavin and selencompound metabolism. The differential metabolites of CW/CnW group were functionally enriched in the processes of lipid and amino acid metabolism. Overall, the extent of weight control in wrestlers was correlated with sensible dietary patterns, adaptability to training load, and distinct gut microbiota and metabolites.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The purpose of this study is to observe the differences in precompetition diet structure, adaptability to training, gut microbiota, and metabolites of wrestlers with different weight control effects and analyze the correlation between them, aiming to provide scientific guidance and advice on weight control for wrestlers.