ECSS Paris 2023: OP-PN21
INTRODUCTION: Endurance exercise is commonly associated with gut disturbances and barrier dysfunction, which can negatively impact performance. Dietary supplementation is one potential therapeutic strategy to alleviate these effects. Aquamin (Aq), a marine-derived multi-mineral complex, rich in bioavailable calcium and trace minerals, may support gut integrity (1) and attenuate exercise-induced gastrointestinal syndrome (EIGS) due to its mineral content and prebiotic potential (2), though its effects remain largely unexplored. This study investigated whether 12 weeks of Aq supplementation could improve the physiological response to endurance exercise and enhance exercise tolerance, improve gastrointestinal symptoms, and blood biomarkers of intestinal integrity in active individuals. METHODS: Thirty-six healthy, recreationally active participants (30.5 ± 7.3 yrs; peak oxygen uptake (V̇O₂peak): 52.1 ± 6.7 mL/kg/min) completed a 12-week double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial. Participants received either multi-mineral marine red algae, Lithothamnion species (Aq, 2.66g; 800 mg/day calcium) or placebo and were assessed pre-intervention (wk 0), mid-intervention (wk 6) and post-intervention (wk 12). Participants’ cardiopulmonary and perceptual responses to a 60-min moderate-intensity treadmill run (90% gas exchange threshold; GET) were monitored and immediately followed by a time-to-exhaustion (TTE) test at 50% of the difference between the GET and V̇O2peak (Δ50%), with venous blood-samples collected pre- and post-exercise. RESULTS: Linear mixed models revealed a trial by group interaction for heart rate and oxygen consumption (𝑉̇O2) during the moderate-intensity run with Aq supplementation eliciting a lower heart rate at post-intervention compared to placebo (3.4%; p<0.001), and at post-intervention compared to mid-intervention in the Aq group (p=0.006). Post-intervention 𝑉̇O2 was lower in the Aq group compared to placebo (6%; p=0.002), and at post compared to mid-intervention (p=0.01). Gastrointestinal symptoms improved across time in the Aq group (p=0.05), with reductions in both upper and lower symptoms (p=0.03) at post-intervention, while no changes were observed in the placebo group across time (p>0.05). Gut damage biomarkers were lower post-exercise in the Aq group, with reductions in soluble cluster of differentiation 14 (sCD14) from mid- to post-intervention (p=0.002) and group by time effects for intestinal fatty-acid binding protein (i-FABP; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Aq reduced heart rate and 𝑉̇O2 during a 60-min moderate-intensity run, indicating a potential improvement in exercise economy. Aq also reduced gastrointestinal symptoms and post-exercise levels of sCD14 and i-FABP (markers of gut damage), supporting its role in mitigating EIGS. Future research should focus on elucidating the mechanisms behind these effects to better understand Aq’s role as a therapeutic strategy for supporting gut health (1,2) and exercise performance. 1. Aslam et al. (2021), 2. Felice et al. (2021)
Read CV Robyn AitkenheadECSS Paris 2023: OP-PN21
INTRODUCTION: Probiotic supplementation is attracting attention of the sports community to promote good health, training and exercise performance. Probiotics, when administered in adequate amounts, are widely considered to be health-promoting microorganisms. However, investigation of perceptions and practices is still lacking. Purpose: To gain knowledge on the beliefs and practices of football practitioners applying probiotics supplementation in elite soccer players. METHODS: Forty football practitioners (30 performance nutritionists, 4 head of performance, 1 physician, 3 sport scientists, and 2 strength & conditioning coach) from 5 different countries participated in a study consisting of a survey including 5 domains: demographic and professional characteristics (Who); perceptions about probiotics for health and performance (Why); real-life practices about probiotics supplementation (When); methodological procedures about probiotics (What); and effectiveness of common supplementation strategies (How). Survey’s Inclusion criteria were: voluntary participation, > 18 years old, adequate experience working in an elite sporting environment (>2 years), be physician, nutritionist, head of performance, sport scientist or Strength & conditioning coach, currently working in elite professional level (First league or second league during season 24-25), currently working with the first team Men or Women or both. Data were analyzed using a combination of descriptive statistics, generalized mixed effects, and multinomial logistic regression models. RESULTS: Data revealed 5 main findings: (1) overall agreement on the importance of probiotics for soccer players (63.2%) and on the consumption under the practitioner’s supervision (84.2%); (2) lack of consensus about the effects on athletic performance and recovery; (3) strong agreement on the use of probiotics to treat diarrhea (65%) and gastrointestinal symptoms (70%); (4) choice of multi-strain and specie probiotics supplements (86.5%); and (5) frequency of probiotics supplementation of 1 dose every day (77.8%) and in capsules formulations (77.8%). CONCLUSION: This study provides actionable insights into the implementation of probiotics supplementation in elite soccer players. While practitioners recognize the importance of probiotics for soccer players on gut health, further research and professional debate are warranted to develop empirical knowledge and provide pragmatic recommendations about the effects of probiotics and athletic performance, sleep and recovery.
Read CV Tindaro BongiovanniECSS Paris 2023: OP-PN21
INTRODUCTION: The gut microbiome has emerged as a potential factor influencing endurance performance, yet its interaction with elite-level training and racing remains largely unexplored. This study investigates the impact of a World Tour cycling season on the gut microbiome of elite female cyclists. With, in this first study, focus on the effect of a two-week training camp after the off-season. It is hypothesised that the changed training volume and intensity, combined with an altered diet during the training camp will affect the gut microbiome composition and function. METHODS: 14 elite female cyclists (26.4±4.0 yrs, 56.7±2.9kg, Functional Threshold Power 4.71±0.35 Watt/kg), from a World Tour team participated in this quasi-experimental study. Faecal samples, dietary intake, training data and physiological markers were collected at baseline and after the training camp (POST). Gut microbiome composition and function are being analysed using 16S rRNA sequencing and metabolic profiling. Mixed effects regressions were used to assess differences between baseline and POST. RESULTS: Due to laboratory issues, only the metadata could be included in the current abstract. During training camp, training volume and intensity on the bike significantly increased from 13.3±4.1 to 22.5±1.86 hours/week (p<0.001), with an average Training Stress Score of 98.3±35.8 before and 133.4±42.7 POST (p=0.018). The amount of strength training (2.5±1.1 to 0.7±0.5 hours/week) was decreased during the training camp. The amount of sleep was not significantly different during the training camp (7.8±0.5 hours to 7.6±0.6 hours (p=0.356)). Their average heart rate variability was also not significantly different (p=0.367) during the training camp (85.8±31.1msec) compared to before (98.2±40.1msec). No significant changes were reported concerning faecal sample composition, as well as for gastrointestinal symptoms. The average caloric intake increased significantly during the training camp, with an average intake of 2835±411kcal/day, compared to before the training camp, with an intake of 2440±248kcal/day. The amount of carbohydrates increased from 309.0±53.0g to 394.0±68.0g (p=0.006). Within carbohydrates, sugar intake increased from 120.8±39.7g to 169.6±40.9g (p=0.013), however, no significant decrease in absolute fibre intake was found (27.8±7.3g to 25.2±9.59g). Lastly, protein intake increased from 105.9±13.8g to 130.5±21.0g (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: This study provides a first insight into the training load, physiological responses and dietary adaptations of elite female cyclists during a two-week training camp after the off-season. With significant increases in training volume, intensity and caloric intake, effects on the gut microbiome are expected. Future studies should follow up longitudinally on the effects of a World Tour season (i.e. one-day races, grand tours, altitude camps) on the gut microbiome of female cyclists.
Read CV Toon AmpeECSS Paris 2023: OP-PN21