Next-generation sequencing of the athletic gut microbiota: a systematic review

Abstract

Aim: There is growing evidence that physical activity modulates gut microbiota composition through complex interactions between diet and microbial species. On the other hand, next-generation sequencing techniques include shotgun metagenomics and 16S amplicon sequencing. These methodologies allow a comprehensive characterisation of microbial communities of athletes from different disciplines as well as non-professional players and sedentary adults exposed to training. This systematic review summarises recent applications of next-generation sequencing to characterise the athletic gut microbiome. Methods: A systematic review of microbiome research was performed to determine the association of microbiota composition profiles with sports performance. Results: Bibliographic analysis revealed the importance of a novel research trend aiming at deciphering the associations between individual microbial species and sports performance. In addition, literature review highlighted the role of butyrate-producing bacteria such as Anaerostipes hadrus, Clostridium bolteae, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Roseburia hominis and unidentified species belonging to Clostridiales, Lachnospiraceae and Subdoligranulum species in gut health and sports performance across several disciplines. Interestingly, metabolic activities of Prevotella copri and Veillonella atypica involved in branched amino acid and lactate metabolism may contribute to reducing muscular fatigue. Other microbial metabolic pathways of interest involved in carbohydrate metabolism showed increased proportions in athletes´ metagenomes. Conclusion: Future research will aim at developing personalised nutrition interventions to modulate key species associated with certain components of exercise.

Keywords: Gut microbiome; athletes; exercise; metagenomics; systematic review.

Figure 1

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flow diagram illustrating the selection of articles describing the association of gut microbes with sports and exercise performance assessed by shotgun metagenomics or 16S amplicon sequencing.

Figure 2

Schematic representation of characteristic microbial clades and metabolic activities with a higher representation in the microbiota of athletes across different disciplines as well as sedentary adults exposed to exercise regime. *Microbial taxa showing significantly higher abundances in the microbiota of athletes or sedentary participants exposed to exercise regime compared to sedentary controls.