Background: Reports of probiotic consumption on athletes’ performance are debatable due to their equivocal results. There is a need for more evidence on the effects of probiotic intake on psychological state and fitness level. Thus, this study determined the effects of daily probiotic consumption on competitive anxiety, perceived stress and mood among university badminton players, besides their fitness like aerobic capacity, strength, speed, leg power and agility. Methods: Thirty university badminton players aged from 19 to 22 years old were randomly divided equally into two groups, where the probiotic group (PG; n = 15) received a drink that contained Lactobacillus casei Shirota (3 × 1010 CFU) and placebo group (CG; n = 15) a placebo drink for six weeks. Anxiety, stress and mood levels were determined using the CSAI-2R, PSS and BRUMS questionnaires, respectively. Fitness levels were measured using by subjecting the players to 20-m shuttle runs (aerobic capacity), handgrips (muscular strength), vertical jumps (leg power), 40-m dash (speed) and T-test (agility). The Student’s t-test (p < 0.05) was used to determine the differences between PG and CG players. Results: After six weeks, the anxiety and stress levels of PG players significantly decreased by 16% (p < 0.001) and 20% (p < 0.001), respectively, but there were no significant changes detected in CG players. Supplementation of probiotics also improved aerobic capacity in PG players by 5.9% (p < 0.001) but did not influence the speed, strength, leg power and agility. Conclusions: Probiotics supplementation showed improved aerobic capacity and relieve anxiety and stress. However, further studies need to be carried out to determine the mechanisms through which probiotic intake produces these effects.
Psychobiotics derived from probiotics which contain psychotropic properties, and with correct administration can positively affect the psychological states. Athletes who go through strenuous training are more vulnerable to undergo stress and anxiety. Thus, the objective of this study is to determine the effect of daily probiotics supplementation on stress and anxiety among the football players. The randomised, doubleblinded, placebo-controlled trial was conducted using 20 male footballers (age 19.0 ± 0.72 years) who received either probiotic (Lactobacillus Casei Shirota 1×10 9 CFU strain) or placebo supplement over 8 weeks. Competitive state anxiety and perceived stress were measured at the baseline, week 4, and week 8 during the intervention. Statistical analysis using t-test revealed that probiotic group significantly decreased the cognitive state anxiety scores (18.20 ± 3.94 vs. 23.11 ± 4.81, p = 0.026), somatic state anxiety (13.00 ± 2.83 vs.16.78 ± 3.03, p = 0.012) and perceived stress scores (12.30 ± 1.70 vs. 14.67 ± 1.66, p = 0.007) but no statistical significant was found in self-confidence (34.80 ± 3.16 vs. 32.89 ± 3.62, p = 0.236). Therefore, daily probiotic supplementation is a promising approach to regulate stress and anxiety among football players and it may indirectly improve athletic performances.
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