Abstract
Our aim was to determine the effects of probiotic supplementation (Bifidobacterium longum 35624; 1 billion CFU·d−1) on exercise performance, immune modulation, and cognitive outlook in collegiate female athletes during six weeks of offseason training. Seventeen National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 collegiate female swimmers participated in this two-group matched, double-blind, placebo controlled design. Via stratified randomization, participants were assigned to probiotic (B. longum 35624; n = 8) or placebo (n = 9) groups. Pre, mid, and post-training, all participants completed exercise performance testing (aerobic/anaerobic swim time trials and force plate vertical jump) as well as provided serum (cytokine and gastrointestinal inflammatory markers) and salivary immunoglobulin A samples. Recovery-stress questionnaire for athletes (RESTQ-Sport) was administered at baseline and conclusion of each week. Data were analyzed by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) by time point with the respective baseline values of each dependent variable being the covariate. No significant differences in exercise performance and biochemical markers were observed between groups following offseason training. Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ-sport) values in B. longum 35624 group had significantly higher (i.e., more desired; p < 0.05) values in sport recovery (weeks five and six) than placebo. Probiotic supplementation in collegiate female swimmers did not affect exercise performance or immune function throughout offseason training, but did indicate alterations in cognitive outlook.
Highlights
The human gut microbiota contains a diverse bacterial species understood to exert numerous physiological functions such as protection against pathogens, barrier effects, regulation of energy levels and metabolism, modulation of intestinal motility, and regulation of immunity within the entire gastrointestinal (GI) tract [1]
Chronic B. longum 35624 supplementation in the animal model has been found to positively influence neuronal systems and behaviors pertinent to depression [14,15]. These findings suggest some strains of Bifidobacteria, including B. longum 35624, could play a role in gut-brain interactions and provide, through supplementation, a prospective therapeutic application for these probiotics in response to various forms of cognitive stress
This finding suggests if B. longum 35624 supplementation was extended during a prolonged 20 h exercise training load it is plausible the probiotic group would maintain a higher level of self-regulation. In theory, it could provide an indirect means of enhancing exercise performance based upon the probiotic group’s improved cognitive stress-recovery outlook. This was the first study to investigate the effects of B. longum 35624 probiotic supplementation in athletes such as collegiate female swimmers
Summary
The human gut microbiota contains a diverse bacterial species understood to exert numerous physiological functions such as protection against pathogens, barrier effects, regulation of energy levels and metabolism, modulation of intestinal motility, and regulation of immunity within the entire gastrointestinal (GI) tract [1]. It has been previously reported that six–eight weeks of B. longum 35624 supplementation increases secretion of Treg cells in the peripheral blood of healthy human subjects as well as reduce systemic circulation of pro-inflammatory biomarkers TNF-α and IL-6 in clinical patients diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) an immune-inflammatory disease [9,12]. In addition to these systemic immunomodulatory effects, it has been demonstrated that increased concentrations of Bifidobacterium within the gut, through supplementation of Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota, can positively affect emotional symptoms in CFS patients such as reducing levels of anxiety and improving mood [13]. These findings suggest some strains of Bifidobacteria, including B. longum 35624, could play a role in gut-brain interactions and provide, through supplementation, a prospective therapeutic application for these probiotics in response to various forms of cognitive stress
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