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Cited by 113Gut microbiota and healthProbiotics and Fermented FoodsGastrointestinal motility and disorders

Four men in a boat: Ultra-endurance exercise alters the gut microbiome

Keohane, David M., Woods, Trevor, O’Connor, Pat, Underwood, Sean, Cronin, Owen, Whiston, Ronan, O'Sullivan, Orla, Cotter, Paul +2 more·2019·Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport
DOI 10.1016/j.jsams.2019.04.004
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Abstract

Objectives Compositional and functional adaptions occur in the gut microbiome in response to habitual physical activity. The response of the gut microbiome to sustained, intense exercise in previously active individuals, however, is unknown. This study aimed to prospectively explore the gut microbiome response of four well-trained male athletes to prolonged, high intensity trans-oceanic rowing, describing changes in microbial diversity, abundance and metabolic capacity.Design A prospective, repeated-measures, within-subject report.Methods Serial stool samples were obtained from four male athletes for metagenomic whole-genome shotgun sequencing to record microbial community structure and relevant functional gene profiles before, during and after a continuous, unsupported 33-day, 5000 km transoceanic rowing race. Calorific intake and macronutrient composition were recorded by validated food frequency questionnaire and anthropometry was determined by body composition analysis and cardiorespiratory testing.Results Microbial diversity increased throughout the ultra-endurance event. Variations in taxonomic composition included increased abundance of butyrate producing species and species associated with improved metabolic health, including improved insulin sensitivity. The functional potential of bacterial species involved in specific amino and fatty acid biosynthesis also increased. Many of the adaptions in microbial community structure and metaproteomics persisted at three months follow up.Conclusions These findings demonstrate that prolonged, intense exercise positively influences gut microbial diversity, increases the relative abundance of some bacterial species and up-regulates the metabolic potential of specific pathways expressing microbial gene products. These adaptions may play a compensatory role in controlling the physiological stress associated with sustained exertion as well as negating the deleterious consequences accompanying endurance exercise.

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  • In four well-trained ultra-endurance male athletes, alpha diversity increased throughout a 33-day trans-oceanic rowing event and was evident as early as day 17.

    “Alpha diversity increased throughout the ultra-endurance event and was evident as early as day 17 in the race.”

    From The athletic gut microbiota (2020) · cites this paper as [99]

  • In the Keohane study, variations in taxonomic composition included increased abundance of butyrate producing species and species associated with improved metabolic health and improved insulin sensitivity.

    “Variations in taxonomic composition included increased abundance of butyrate producing species and species associated with improved metabolic health and improved insulin sensitivity.”

    From The athletic gut microbiota (2020) · cites this paper as [99]

  • In the Keohane study, the increase in alpha diversity occurred independent of any change in cardiorespiratory fitness, with VO2max similar pre- and post-race.

    “This increase occurred independent of any change in cardiorespiratory fitness, with VO2max similar pre- and post-race.”

    From The athletic gut microbiota (2020) · cites this paper as [99]

  • In the Keohane study, gene expression of functional metabolic pathways involved in L-isoleucine and L-lysine production increased.

    “the gene expression of functional metabolic pathways involved in L-isoleucine and L-lysine production increased”

    From The athletic gut microbiota (2020) · cites this paper as [99]

  • In the Keohane study, many adaptations in microbial community structure and metaproteomics persisted at 3 months follow up.

    “Many of the adaptations in microbial community structure and metaproteomics persisted at 3 months follow up.”

    From The athletic gut microbiota (2020) · cites this paper as [99]

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Authors
Keohane, D. M., Woods, T., O’Connor, P., Underwood, S., Cronin, O., Whiston, R., O'Sullivan, O., Cotter, P., Shanahan, F., & Molloy, M. G. M.
Affiliations
  • University College Cork (IE)
  • Teagasc - The Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority (IE)
Corresponding author
Keohane, David M.
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2019-09
Volume
22
Issue
9
Pages
1059-1064
ISSN
1440-2440 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.jsams.2019.04.004
OpenAlex
W2939552995
Cited by
113
References
25
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 28 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 3
FWCI
4.72
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Journal of science and medicine in sport (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Irish Centre for Arthritic Research and Education
  • Science Foundation Ireland (SFI/12/RC/2273)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Probiotics and Fermented Foods
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Gastroenterology › Gastrointestinal motility and disorders
Keywords
gut microbiota, ultra-endurance exercise, athletes, microbial diversity, butyrate-producing bacteria, insulin sensitivity, amino acid biosynthesis, fatty acid synthesis, exercise adaptation, metagenomics, metaproteomics
MeSH terms
Gastrointestinal Microbiome, Water Sports, Adult, Bacteria, Feces, Humans, Male, Physical Endurance, Prospective Studies, Biodiversity, Athletes

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