Survey-Based Insights on the Role of Dietary Probiotics and Prebiotics in Optimizing Digestive Health and Physical Performance for Athletes

Background: The relationship between diet, digestive health, and physical performance is increasingly recognized, particularly among athletes. Probiotics and prebiotics have gained attention for their potential to enhance gut health and improve performance outcomes. However, limited research focuses on athletes’ perceptions and experiences with these dietary components. Aims: This study aims to explore athletes' perceptions of probiotics and prebiotics concerning their digestive health and physical performance, addressing the existing gap in the literature regarding their specific impact on athletic populations. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 425 athletes from various sports disciplines in Saudi Arabia. Participants completed a structured questionnaire assessing their consumption habits, awareness levels, beliefs about the effects of probiotics and prebiotics, and experiences with digestive health. Results: The findings revealed a mean frequency of consumption of probiotics at 3.93 (SD = 1.62) and prebiotics at 4.22 (SD = 0.95), with awareness levels of 2.89 (SD = 2.23) for probiotics and 2.88 (SD = 2.12) for prebiotics. Males reported significantly higher beliefs in the impact of probiotics (mean: 4.14, p = .0103) and prebiotics (mean: 4.23, p < .0001) on physical performance compared to females. Significant differences in awareness were noted based on competitive level, with professionals exhibiting the highest awareness scores (probiotics: 4.07, prebiotics: 4.44, p < .0001). Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of personalized nutrition strategies for athletes, highlighting the need for tailored probiotic and prebiotic interventions to optimize digestive health and enhance performance.