Nutrients · 2 authors, 1 centre
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This mini narrative review examines how anaerobic and aerobic athletes differ in their dietary and supplementation needs and how gut microbiota may mediate supplement effects. It concludes that pre- and probiotic supplementation may support gut homeostasis and recovery, but direct evidence for ergogenic effects of probiotics remains limited.
This mini review synthesizes human and animal studies on the effects of popular ergogenic supplements, prebiotics, and probiotics on gut microbiota composition and sport performance in anaerobic (e.g., bodybuilders, sprinters) and aerobic (e.g., runners, cyclists) athletes. The authors describe how a high-protein diet in anaerobic athletes and a high-carbohydrate diet in aerobic athletes may differentially affect gut microbial communities, and evaluate evidence for supplements including whey protein, citrulline, dietary nitrates, beta-alanine, creatine, beta-glucans, and various probiotic strains. Key observations include that whey and casein isolates do not significantly alter gut microbiota composition in healthy individuals, citrulline may attenuate exercise-induced splanchnic hypoperfusion, and certain probiotic strains have demonstrated immune-boosting effects in athletes. However, the review identifies substantial gaps, noting insufficient data on how combined dietary and supplement patterns affect athlete gut microbiota, and limited evidence for probiotic ergogenic effects.
