Distinct microbiome composition and metabolome exists across subgroups of elite Irish athletes
Open accessAbstract
OBJECTIVES: The gut microbiome has begun to be characterised in athlete groups, albeit, to date, only across a subset of sports. This study aimed to determine if the gut microbiome and metabolome differed across sports classification groups (SCGs) among elite Irish athletes, many of whom were participating in the 2016 Summer Olympics. METHODS: Faecal and urine samples were collected from 37 international level athletes. Faecal samples were prepared for shotgun metagenomic sequencing and faecal and urine samples underwent metabolomic profiling. RESULTS: Differences were observed in the composition and functional capacity of the gut microbiome of athletes across SCGs. The microbiomes of athletes participating in sports with a high dynamic component were the most distinct compositionally (greater differences in proportions of species), while those of athletes participating in sports with high dynamic and static components were the most functionally distinct (greater differences in functional potential). Additionally, both microbial (faecal) and human (urine) derived metabolites were found to vary between SCGs. In particular cis-aconitate, succinic acid and lactate, in urine samples, and creatinine, in faeces, were found to be significantly different between groups. These differences were evident despite the absence of significant differences in diet, as determined using food frequency questionnaires, which were translated into nutrient intake values using FETA. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in the gut microbiome and metabolome between groups, in the absence of dietary changes, indicates a role for training load or type as a contributory factor. Further exploration of this hypothesis has the potential to benefit athletes, aspiring athletes and the general public.
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Fecal and urine derived metabolites varied between classification including increased lactate in urine in sports with a static component and creatinine in feces in sports with a high dynamic and low static component.
“Fecal and urine derived metabolites also varied between classification including increased lactate (urine) in sports with a static component and creatinine (feces) in sports with a high dynamic and low static component.”
From The athletic gut microbiota (2020) · cites this paper as [58]
Athletes participating in sports with a high dynamic component were the most distinct compositionally, while athletes participating in sports with both a high dynamic and static component were the most functionally distinct.
“Athletes participating in sports with a high dynamic component were the most distinct compositionally (greater differences in proportions of species; see Table 1), while athletes participating in sports with both a high dynamic and static component were the most functionally distinct (greater differences in functional potential).”
From The athletic gut microbiota (2020) · cites this paper as [58]
The observed differences in microbiome and metabolome-related patterns across athlete classifications occurred despite no significant variation in dietary intakes, suggesting that variations in training loads and competition requirements contributed to these patterns.
“However, these differences were observed despite no significant variation in dietary intakes across athletes from different classifications; suggesting that variations in training loads and competition requirements contributed to these microbiome and metabolome-related patterns.”
From The athletic gut microbiota (2020) · cites this paper as [58]
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Exercise and the Gut Microbiome: From Mechanisms to Clinical Applications
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Exercise and Diet Reshape Athletes’ Gut Microbiota: Countering Health Challenges in Athletes
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- Authors
- O’Donovan, C. M., Madigan, S. M., Garcia-Perez, I., Rankin, A., O’ Sullivan, O., & Cotter, P. D.
- Affiliations
- Teagasc - The Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority (IE)
- Sport Ireland Institute (IE)
- Venue
- Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2020-01
- Volume
- 23
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 63-68
- ISSN
- 1440-2440 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2974208590
- Cited by
- 133
- References
- 28
- Citations by year
- 2026: 19 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 23 · 2022: 32 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 8
- FWCI
- 4.39
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of science and medicine in sport (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Spiral (Imperial College London) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- T-Stór (Teagasc) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
- Funders
- Science Foundation Ireland
- National Institute for Health Research
- 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, urinary metabolome, fecal metabolome, elite athletes, training load, training type, 2016 Rio Olympics, cis-aconitate, succinic acid, lactate, creatinine, diet and microbiome
- MeSH terms
- Gastrointestinal Microbiome, Feces, Female, Humans, Ireland, Male, Sports, Urine, Metabolome, Athletes
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