Impact of probiotic supplementation on exercise endurance among non-elite athletes: study protocol for a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, clinical trial

Background

Some probiotics appear to improve athletic performance, endurance, and recovery after intense exercise. Other formulations may provide performance-related benefits via immune and gastrointestinal functions in athletic individuals. However, few formulations have been studied for both types of effects among non-elite athletes. The primary objective of this study is to assess the ergogenic effects of a probiotic on high-intensity endurance running performance in non-elite runners. Secondary objectives include assessment of perceived exertion, blood chemistry, immune and stress biomarkers, cold and flu symptoms, and gastrointestinal health after the probiotic intervention.

Methods

This 9-week randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel trial will assess the ergogenic effects of a probiotic (5 billion colony-forming units/day, for 6 weeks) in healthy, non-elite runners (N=32; 18–45 years). Participants will be monitored via daily and weekly questionnaires during the 2-week pre-baseline, 6-week intervention, and 1-week washout. Questionnaires will inquire about activity, muscle soreness, gastrointestinal symptoms, cold and flu symptoms, stool form and frequency, and adverse events. During the pre-baseline visit, maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O₂ max) is assessed to set appropriate individualized workload settings for the treadmill time-to-exhaustion endurance tests. These time-to-exhaustion endurance running tests will be completed at an intensity of 85% VO₂max at baseline and final visits. During these tests, self-perceived exercise effort will be rated via the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale and finger sticks assessing capillary blood glucose and lactate concentrations will be collected every 3 min. Additional questionnaires will assess diet and motivation to exercise. Body composition will be assessed using air displacement plethysmography at the baseline and final visits. Hypotheses will be tested using two-sided tests, and a linear model and with a type I error rate of α=0.05. Primary and secondary outcomes will be tested by comparing results between the intervention groups, adjusting for baseline values.

Discussion

These results will build evidence documenting the role of probiotics on running endurance performance and physiological responses to exercise in non-elite athletes. Understanding the potential mechanisms of probiotic effects and how they mitigate the intestinal or immune discomforts caused by running could provide additional strategy means to help runners improve their performance.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.govNCT04588142. Posted on October 19, 2020.

Protocol version: July 2, 2021, version 1.2

Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HA-114 improves eating behaviors and mood-related factors in adults with overweight during weight loss: a randomized controlled trial

Background: Gut microbiota has emerged as a modifiable factor influencing obesity and metabolic diseases. Interventions targeting this microbial community could attenuate biological and psychological comorbidities of excess weight. Objective: Our aim was to determine if Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HA-114 supplementation accentuated beneficial impact of weight loss on metabolic and cognitive health. Methods: This 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial assessed biological markers of energy metabolism, eating behaviors and mood-related factors in 152 adults with overweight receiving L. rhamnosus HA-114 supplementation or placebo, that were also on a dietary intervention inducing a controlled weight loss. Results: Although probiotic supplementation did not potentiate the reduction in body weight or fat mass, a significant decrease in plasma insulin, HOMA-IR, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides was observed in the probiotic-supplemented group only. With respect to eating behaviors and mood-related factors, beneficial effects were either observed only in the group receiving probiotic supplementation or were significantly greater in this group, including decrease in binge eating tendencies, disinhibition and food-cravings. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the clinical relevance of probiotic supplementation to induce beneficial metabolic and psychological outcomes in individuals with overweight undergoing weight loss.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02962583.