Gut Microbiota, Exercise, and Athletic Performance: Current Evidence and Clinical Implications

Background. The gut microbiota dynamically regulates energy metabolism, mucosal immunity, and systemic homeostasis [1]. In active populations, exercise-microbiome interactions influence athletic performance, adaptation, and recovery [2, 5]. Aim. To critically synthesize empirical evidence on the gut-muscle and gut-brain-muscle axes, evaluate athletic microbial adaptations, address methodological limitations, and provide clinical guidance for sports nutrition. Material and methods. A review of literature (2020–2026) was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, encompassing RCTs, athletic cohort studies, and translational models [1-24]. Results. Exercise modulates microbial taxonomy and metabolic output in an intensity-dependent manner [14]. Training enriches SCFA-producing taxa (Akkermansia muciniphila, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii) and alters bile acid signaling [12, 23]. Metabolites like deoxycholic acid and butyrate stimulate AMPK-PGC1α and TGR5-cAMP-PKA pathways, enhancing endurance [23]. Exercise reinforces tight junctions (ZO-1, Occludin), reducing endotoxemia (LBP, sCD14) and systemic inflammation [9, 22]. Targeted interventions—pre-sleep casein with probiotics [15], dietary fiber [24], polyphenols [3, 18], and low-FODMAP diets [16]—effectively alleviate gastrointestinal symptoms, boost power, and optimize recovery. Conclusions. The gut-muscle and gut-brain-muscle axes are pivotal for physical resilience. Combining microbiome profiling with targeted nutrition offers strong potential for precision sports medicine [1, 20].