Running to Exhaustion Study

Effects of probiotics supplementation on gastrointestinal permeability, inflammation and exercise performance in the heat

SUMMARY

This study aimed to investigate the effects of multi-strain probiotics supplementation on gastrointestinal permeability, systemic markers of inflammation and running performance when exercising in the heat.
The runners supplemented with Lab4-based multi-strain probiotics exercised for a longer period and their running time to exhaustion in heat was significantly increased.
In addition, a reduction in gastrointestinal permeability was observed with probiotic supplementation.

Aim

This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study aimed to assess the effect of Lab4-based multi-strain probiotic supplementation on gut permeability, inflammation and running performance when exercising in the hot conditions.

Method

Results

Run time to fatigue

  • Significant increase in running time to fatigue in heat was observed in the probiotic group compared to placebo (*P=0.033).
  • The runners supplemented with probiotics exercised for a longer period (37 min 44s) compared to placebo (33 min).

Intestinal permeability

  • Lactulose:Rhamnose ratio in urine was measured as an assessment of intestinal permeability.
  • Lactulose:Rhamnose ratio was 8% lower following probiotic supplementation compared to placebo.
  • This was associated with a reduction in circulating lipopolysaccharide concentration both pre- and post-exercise.

Conclusion

Four weeks of Lab4-based multi-strain probiotic supplementation significantly increased running time to exhaustion in hot environmental conditions.

Reference

Shing CM et al 2014. Effects of probiotics supplementation on gastrointestinal permeability, inflammation and exercise performance in the heat. European Journal of Applied Physiology 114: 93-103
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