Nutrients · 6 authors, 3 centres
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A 6-week randomized trial in 30 male university football players compared synbiotic versus prebiotic supplementation. Synbiotics significantly reduced the incidence and duration of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) and increased mucosal secretory IgA (SIgA) levels, suggesting a more beneficial effect on immune function than prebiotics. The study's main limitation was the lack of a placebo control group.
Exercise-induced immunosuppression increases the risk of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) in athletes. This study compared the effects of prebiotic versus synbiotic supplementation on immune function and performance in male football players. Methods: 30 male university football players were randomized to receive a prebiotic (PG, n=15) or synbiotic (SG, n=15) supplement daily for 6 weeks. Outcomes included URTI incidence/duration, mucosal immunity (SIgA), inflammatory markers, and aerobic performance (VO2max, HRmax, lactic acid elimination rate) assessed via questionnaires and laboratory tests before and after supplementation, including after an exhaustive constant-load exercise. Key Results: The synbiotic group had significantly lower URTI incidence (17.78% vs. 31.11%) and shorter duration (1.77 vs. 2.66 days/time) than the prebiotic group. Synbiotic supplementation increased SIgA levels by 15.82% from baseline and was significantly higher than the prebiotic group post-intervention. Synbiotic supplementation also significantly decreased maximal heart rate (HRmax) during exercise and increased the lactic acid elimination rate by 193.78% during recovery, effects not seen with prebiotics. No changes were observed in VO2max. Limitations: The study lacked a placebo control group. Implications: Synbiotic supplementation for six weeks appears more effective than prebiotics alone in enhancing mucosal immune function (via increased SIgA) and reducing URTI risk in male football players undergoing intense training. It may also support exercise performance by improving lactate metabolism.
