Abstract
BackgroundElite athletes may suffer from impaired immune function and gastro-intestinal (GI) symptoms, which may affect their health and may impede their performance. These symptoms may be reduced by multi-strain probiotic supplementation. Therefore, the aim of the current study is to examine the effects of probiotic supplementation on aerobic fitness characteristics, inflammatory markers and incidence and severity of GI symptoms in elite cyclists.MethodsTwenty-seven male cyclists, ranked elite or category 1 level competitions, were randomly assigned to a multi-strain probiotic-supplemented group (E, n = 11) or placebo group (C, n = 16). All participants visited the laboratory at the beginning of the study and following 90 d of supplementation/placebo. Prior to testing, all participants completed a GI symptoms questionnaire and underwent physical and medical examination, and anthropometric measurements. Venous blood was drawn for inflammatory markers analysis. The cyclists then underwent maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) test and time-to-fatigue (TTF) test at 85 % of maximal power, 3 h following the VO2max test. All testing procedures were repeated after 90 d of probiotic / placebo treatment (double blind design).ResultsLower incidence of nausea, belching, and vomiting (P < 0.05) at rest, and decreased incidence of GI symptoms during training were found in E group vs. C Group, respectively (∆GI -0.27 ± 0.47 % vs. 0.08 ± 0.29 %, P = 0.03), no significant changes were observed in the incidence of total overall GI symptoms (∆GI -5.6 ± 14.7 % vs. 2.6 ± 11.6 %, P = 0.602) Mean rate of perceived exertion (RPE) values during the TTF were lower in E group (∆RPE: -0.3 ± 0.9 vs. 0.8 ± 1.5, P = 0.04). No significant changes were measured between and within groups in VO2max and TTF values, mean levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-6-and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) values following treatment.ConclusionsProbiotics supplementation may have beneficial effects on GI symptoms in elite cyclists. Future studies, using higher doses and during different training seasons, might help understanding the effects of probiotic supplementation on elite athletes’ health and performance.Trial registrationNIH clinicaltrial.gov#NCT02756221 Registered 25 April 2016.
Highlights
High physiological demands endured by elite cyclists who undergo intensive and prolonged training and competitions lead to numerous health-related side effects, including gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort and symptoms [1,2,3], which include upper GI (UGI), and lower GI (LGI) symptoms
Maximal exercise tests There were no significant differences between E and C groups at baseline in VO2max or in any other maximal cardio-pulmonary physiological variables (Table 2) and after 90 d of probiotic supplementation (Fig. 2)
There were no significant differences between E and C groups in Maximal power outputattained at Oxygen consumption (VO2) max test (POmax) (Fig. 2) or pedaling cadence at VO2max or at any other exercise level
Summary
High physiological demands endured by elite cyclists who undergo intensive and prolonged training and competitions lead to numerous health-related side effects, including gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort and symptoms [1,2,3], which include upper GI (UGI) (nausea, belching, heartburn, chest pain and vomiting), and lower GI (LGI) symptoms (cramps, bloating, urge to defecate, defecation, diarrhea, flatulence and side ache). Strategies to minimize GI injury and inflammation during exercise may help reduce abdominal distress and impairments in the uptake of fluid, electrolytes, and nutrients thereby improving athletic health, performance and recovery [4, 7]. Some of these strategies include nutritional alterations such as consuming multi transportable carbohydrates during training, lowering dietary fibers content before and during exercise, and probiotic supplementation [4, 7, 8]. Elite athletes may suffer from impaired immune function and gastro-intestinal (GI) symptoms, which may affect their health and may impede their performance These symptoms may be reduced by multi-strain probiotic supplementation. The aim of the current study is to examine the effects of probiotic supplementation on aerobic fitness characteristics, inflammatory markers and incidence and severity of GI symptoms in elite cyclists
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