Author(s): HLAVÁCOVÁ, V., BABICOVÁ, M., NECHALOVÁ, L., HRIC, I., SMAHOVÁ, S., KOLENOVÁ, A., BIELIK, V., Institution: COMENIUS UNIVERSITY IN BRATISLAVA, FACULTY OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORT, Country: SLOVAKIA, Abstract-ID: 1687

INTRODUCTION:
The human gut microbiome is an important factor in the genesis and progression of many diseases. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common cancer in children and the most common cause of cancer-related death in childhood. Oncological treatment negatively affects the composition of the intestinal microbiome, which is reflected in the overall physical and psychological health of the patient. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of strength training on the composition of the intestinal microbiome.
METHODS:
This study was aimed at detecting changes in the composition of the intestinal microbiome in cured pediatric oncology patients (1-3 years after being cured of acute lymphoblastic leukemia) after an 8-week, 3-times-a-week intervention focused on sports activity. The composition of the gut microbiome was analyzed using the Illumina sequencing method. We sequenced the hypervariable V3-V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene, which enable the identification of relative bacterial abundance in stool samples.
RESULTS:
Based on the results, we found that, due to the exercise intervention, there was no convincing shift in the composition of the intestinal microbiome in the patients. Also, we did not notice positive results at microbial α-diversity. However, we reported a significant increase in beneficial bacteria producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) in the bacterial species Blautia obeum (p = 0.0397) and Butyricicoccus faecihominis (p = 0.0499).
CONCLUSION:
The results of this study showed a minimal effect of strength training on the bacterial composition of the intestinal microbiome in cured pediatric oncology patients. There was no increase in the diversity and richness of the composition of the gut microbiome. There was no increase in beneficial bacteria compared to pathogenic bacteria, except for the bacterial species Blautia obeum and Butyricicoccus faecihominis.