Effects of sport and physical activity on the human intestinal microbiome

Each person has trillions of bacteria, viruses and fungi living in and on them in numerous microbial ecosystems known as microbiomes. Gut microbes are responsible for how our bodies break down carbohydrates, fiber, protein and regulate body energy. These microbes influence the body's inflammatory response, stress resistance, neurological function, and even affect mental strength. Regular exercise is recommended by the World Health Organization to promote health and reduce the risk of many diseases, including mental illness, as well as increase longevity. These recommendations are based on evidence from multiple studies demonstrating the variety of pathogenetic pathways by which exercise improves health. With the advent of the ability to study the gut microbiome, influencing its taxonomic composition and metabolism through exercise serves as a subject of scientific interest. Improving the microbiome may help increase athletic performance and physical endurance and improve overall health. Consuming prebiotics and probiotics, eating a healthy and balanced diet, reducing sugar and fatty foods, increasing plant-based foods, reducing stress and increasing physical activity can all help improve the microbiome and increase endurance. Sport, through altering the microbiome, has beneficial effects on emotional well-being, digestive function, immune response, cardiovascular health and brain health. When physical activity decreases, the beneficial effects of the microbiome also decrease.