Effect of Probiotic Yogurt Supplementation(Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis BB-12) on Gut Microbiota of Female Taekwondo Athletes and Its Relationship with Exercise-Related Psychological Fatigue

Abstract

Objective: The gut microbiota plays a critical role in regulating human health and athletic performance. Probiotic supplementation has been shown to modulate gut microbiota composition and improve exercise performance. This study aimed to investigate the effect of probiotic yogurt supplementation on gut microbiota and its relationship with exercise-related psychological fatigue in female taekwondo athletes. Methods: Twenty female taekwondo athletes were randomly assigned to either a dietary intervention group (DK) or a control group (CK). The athletes’ exercise-related psychological fatigue was measured using the Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ) before and after an 8-week intervention. High-throughput sequencing was used to profile the gut microbiota, and functional prediction of the microbial community was performed. The effect of the dietary intervention on the athletes’ exercise-related psychological fatigue clearance rate and its relationship with the gut microbiota were explored. Results: (1) The probiotic supplementation of Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis BB-12 for 8 weeks significantly increased the ABQ scores of the DK group compared to the CK group (p < 0.05). (2) The abundances of Bifidobacterium, Bacteroides, Lachnospiraceae, family _Lactobacillaceae, and genus _Lactobacillus were significantly higher in the DK group than in the CK group after probiotic supplementation, while Escherichia coli was significantly lower in the DK group than in the CK group. (3) The ABQa scores were positively correlated with Proteus; ABQb scores were positively correlated with Streptococcus and Enterococcus; and ABQc scores were positively correlated with Klebsiella, Bacteroides, and Streptomyces. (4) The DK group had significantly higher levels of L-arginine biosynthesis I (via L-ornithine), fatty acid biosynthesis and oxidation, and L-isoleucine biosynthesis III pathways compared to the CK group. Tyrosine degradation I (via 2,3-dihydroxyphenylpropionate) was significantly lower in the DK group than in the CK group. Conclusions: Probiotic yogurt supplementation of Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis can promote the clearance of exercise-related psychological fatigue in female taekwondo athletes by upregulating beneficial gut microbiota, inhibiting harmful gut microbiota, and regulating relevant metabolic pathways.

Dietary Strategies to Improve Exercise Performance by Modulating the Gut Microbiota

“…A single strain of Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis BB-12 also improved emotion and facilitated the clearance of psychological fatigue after composition compared with the control group [ 97 ]. A randomized placebo-controlled study showed that consuming a probiotic drink containing Lactobacillus casei at a dose of 3 × 10 10 CFU alleviates competitive anxiety and stress for athletes, indicating that probiotics could help athletes improve their mental situation and physical performance [ 98 ].…”

“…It would be interesting to further explore the effects of a single probiotic, namely Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis BB-12, on exercise [ 96 , 97 ]. Furthermore, the longest exercise intervention available now persists for six months [ 35 ], and further research is needed to determine the effects of long-term exercise training when combined with probiotic application.…”

Explorative Characterization of GI Complaints, General Physical and Mental Wellbeing, and Gut Microbiota in Trained Recreative and Competitive Athletes with or without Self-Reported Gastrointestinal Symptoms

“…The ingestion of such fermented products may reduce the prevalence of GI complaints by stimulating positive changes in several gut-health related disturbances [ 34 , 35 ]. Interestingly, the use of gut microbiota-altering ingredients in sports supplements has also been associated with other areas of health, including improvements in sleep [ 36 ], mood and stress [ 37 ], and overall wellbeing [ 38 ]. Due to the suggested stress and/or sleep-related origin of certain GI complaints [ 25 , 39 ], athletes experiencing GI complaints may, therefore, consider exploring a variety of nutritional supplements, such as prebiotic, probiotic, or synbiotic products, to support their GI and overall health.…”