Effects compared to those of weight gain – which is identically associated with a profound modification of the intestinal microbiota. Thus, in mice, 10 days of antibiotics reduces the diversity of the gut microbiome from millions of aerobic colony-forming units to a virtually undetectable amount. If this first result was already known, research also shows that by eliminating essential intestinal bacteria, antibiotics destroy the motivation and endurance of athletes. “We knew that the intestinal microbiota would affect different digestive or even muscular processes, we show that it also participates in the motivation for different behaviors, including the practice of exercise”, comments the main author, Theodore Garland, physiologist of the evolution at the UCR.
The microbiome distinguishes athletes from the laziest
Other studies have looked at how exercise affects the microbiome, but this study is one of the few to look at the reverse—how gut bacteria also impact exercise behaviors. Voluntary exercise involving both motivation and athletic ability.
The study, conducted in mice, confirms with the analysis of fecal samples following 10 days of antibiotics, that:
- gut bacteria are reduced in 2 groups of mice in the study, one group raised to “exercise a lot” and the other not;
- neither of the 2 groups showed signs of pathological behavior following the antibiotic treatment;
- the activity of sports mice is reduced by 21%;
- damage to the microbiome is responsible;
- 12 days following stopping the antibiotic treatment, the sports mice have still not returned to their usual level of activity;
- the behavior of the non-sporting mice was not significantly affected by the treatment.
According to the authors, a person exercising at moderate intensity might not be affected by antibiotic treatment. On the other hand, the effect might be considerable in an athlete of international level.
What process? One of the ways the microbiome might affect exercise in mice or humans is its ability to convert carbohydrates into chemical compounds that can affect muscle performance. These metabolic end products of bacteria in the gut can be reabsorbed and used as fuel. Less good bacteria therefore means less fuel available.
Which specific bacteria are responsible for increasing athletic performance? Certain specific bacteria might be at the origin of these favorable effects on motivation and athletic ability. By identifying “the good microbes”, it seems possible to use them as therapy to motivate and boost the “laziest” to exercise more.
Bacteria to boost exercise capacity? Lack of exercise is now recognized as a major risk factor for mental disorders, including depression, as well as for physical health, including metabolic disorders, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, cancer and osteoporosis. Promoting exercise might go through the microbiota: certain foods seem to be able to increase the good intestinal bacteria. Probiotics might be an option.
We “fall back” once more on the combination balanced diet and regular exercise. “Previous studies have shown us that the Western diet, high in fat and sugar, can have a negative effect on the biodiversity of our gut and, by extension, on athletic ability and perhaps even motivation. to exercise”.