Cited by 822Gut microbiota and healthGastrointestinal motility and disordersProbiotics and Fermented Foods

Exercise alters gut microbiota composition and function in lean and obese humans

ALLEN, JACOB M., MAILING, LUCY J., NIEMIRO, GRACE M., MOORE, RACHEL, COOK, MARC D., WHITE, BRYAN A., HOLSCHER, HANNAH D., WOODS, JEFFREY A.·2018·Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise

Abstract

PURPOSE: Exercise is associated with altered gut microbial composition, but studies have not investigated whether the gut microbiota and associated metabolites are modulated by exercise training in humans. We explored the impact of 6 wk of endurance exercise on the composition, functional capacity, and metabolic output of the gut microbiota in lean and obese adults with multiple-day dietary controls before outcome variable collection. METHODS: Thirty-two lean (n = 18 [9 female]) and obese (n = 14 [11 female]), previously sedentary subjects participated in 6 wk of supervised, endurance-based exercise training (3 d·wk) that progressed from 30 to 60 min·d and from moderate (60% of HR reserve) to vigorous intensity (75% HR reserve). Subsequently, participants returned to a sedentary lifestyle activity for a 6-wk washout period. Fecal samples were collected before and after 6 wk of exercise, as well as after the sedentary washout period, with 3-d dietary controls in place before each collection. RESULTS: β-diversity analysis revealed that exercise-induced alterations of the gut microbiota were dependent on obesity status. Exercise increased fecal concentrations of short-chain fatty acids in lean, but not obese, participants. Exercise-induced shifts in metabolic output of the microbiota paralleled changes in bacterial genes and taxa capable of short-chain fatty acid production. Lastly, exercise-induced changes in the microbiota were largely reversed once exercise training ceased. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that exercise training induces compositional and functional changes in the human gut microbiota that are dependent on obesity status, independent of diet and contingent on the sustainment of exercise.

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Crossref · 10.1249/mss.0000000000001495

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Authors
ALLEN, J. M., MAILING, L. J., NIEMIRO, G. M., MOORE, R., COOK, M. D., WHITE, B. A., HOLSCHER, H. D., & WOODS, J. A.
Affiliations
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (US)
Venue
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
Published
2018-04
Volume
50
Issue
4
Pages
747-757
ISSN
0195-9131 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2770212191
Cited by
820
References
42
Citations by year
2026: 121 · 2025: 84 · 2024: 111 · 2023: 106 · 2022: 107 · 2021: 124 · 2020: 85 · 2019: 51 · 2018: 30
FWCI
18.53
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Gastroenterology › Gastrointestinal motility and disorders
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Probiotics and Fermented Foods
Keywords
exercise training, gut microbiota, obesity, endurance exercise, short-chain fatty acids, fecal microbiota, beta diversity, sedentary lifestyle
MeSH terms
Gastrointestinal Microbiome, Adult, Bacteria, Fatty Acids, Volatile, Feces, Female, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Obesity, Oxygen Consumption, RNA, Ribosomal, 16S, Exercise, Body Mass Index, Young Adult, Sedentary Behavior

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