Alterations in intestinal microbiota in ultramarathon runners

Abstract

To date, only one study has reported changes in the gut microbiome of an ultramarathon runner before and after competing in the race. Herein we aimed to investigate changes in intestinal microbiota in nine ultramarathon runners. Eight of the nine participants ran 96.102 km (up 8062 m, down 6983 km) and one ran 99.12 km (up 8448 m, down 7369 m) within 38–44 h. Intestinal microbiota alterations were examined at three timepoints: before (Pre), after (Post), and 10 days after (Recovery) the race. The α- and β-diversity of intestinal microbiota were unaffected by the race. Six of the nine participants showed the B-type enterotype, while the remaining three showed the P-type enterotype; however, significant difference between enterotypes was not observed in the influence of the ultramarathon on intestinal microbiota. The abundance of mean Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, was significantly decreased from 2.9% (Pre) to 1.6% (Post), as well as other three butyrate producing bacteria. One participant with the largest decrease in F. prausnitzii abundance (− 85.7%) reported sluggishness and shallow sleep from Post to Recovery. Our findings revealed that the abundance of butyrate-producing bacteria is decreased in ultramarathon runners, which consequently decreases butyrate levels in the intestine and affects host immune function.