The effects of race and probiotic supplementation on the intestinal microbiota of 10-km open-water swimmers

This study collected the stools of 10-km open-water swimmers after race and probiotic supplementation, and 16S rRNA sequencing and metabolomic analysis were performed to clarify their intestinal microbiota characteristics. The findings revealed a relatively high proportion of Firmicutes in all the athletes. Firmicutes in female athletes were significantly higher after probiotic supplementation. The intestinal microbiota of athletes was closely associated with the pathways of exercise against cancer, exercise against aging, exercise for improving cognition, sphingolipid metabolism and endocrine resistance. Future research should focus on the relationship between Firmicutes and Proteobacteria with super class metabolites in athletes. This report initially explored the changes in intestinal microbiota involved in metabolic pathways in athletes after race and after probiotic supplementation and provided a theoretical basis for the further improvement of the monitoring of their physical function after race and selection of nutritional strategies during exercise training.