The Role of Gut Microbiota in Shaping Physical Performance and Immunity in Active Individuals: A Review of Current Evidence
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/QS.2026.61.73040Keywords
Active individuals, Sedentary lifestyle, Gut-Brain axis, Gut-muscle axis, Alpha-diversity, Veillonella atypica, Akkermansia muciniphila, Probiotics, Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), Athletic performanceAbstract
Background. Growing evidence highlights the gut-muscle axis as a prominent area of research in sports science, illustrating a connection between the gastrointestinal tract and skeletal muscles. While individual factors such as diet and age influence the microbiome, physical exercise is increasingly recognized as a profound modulator of gut microbiotas’ composition.
Purpose. The aim of this review is to evaluate recent scientific evidence on how the gut microbiota influences physiological performance, metabolic adaptations, and immune system function in athletes and physically active individuals.
Findings. Recent evidence demonstrates that regular physical activity significantly enhances the alpha-diversity and abundance of beneficial microbial species. Studies show that athletes exhibit higher alpha-diversity and lower systemic inflammatory markers compared to sedentary controls. Distinct taxa, such as Akkermansia muciniphila, contribute heavily to mucosal barrier integrity and metabolic optimization. Furthermore, specific microbial groups actively augment performance, for example, Veillonella atypica metabolizes exercise-induced lactate into propionate—a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) utilized by skeletal muscles to enhance aerobic endurance. Practically, institutional consensus from the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) indicates that dose-dependent probiotic supplementation supports gut barrier function, enhances nutrient absorption, and reduces the risk of upper respiratory tract infections.
Conclusion. The gut microbiota exerts a profound influence on athletic capacity and systemic health. Modulating this ecosystem through targeted, evidence-based probiotic supplementation opens compelling new horizons for optimizing recovery, immunity, and athletic performance.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Oliwia Mirkowska, Zuzanna Leciej, Michał Lubkowski, Gabriela Afrykańska, Gabriela Fryszer, Krzysztof Orzeł, Bernard Pomykała, Hubert Skwarna, Kinga Krzysztofik, Aleksandra Banasik
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