Effects of Exercise on Gut Microbiota of Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Background: The equilibrium between gut microbiota (GM) and the host plays a pivotal role in maintaining overall health, influencing various physiological and metabolic functions. Emerging research suggests that exercise modulates the abundance and functionality of gut bacteria, yet the comprehensiv...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-04-01
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| Series: | Nutrients |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/7/1070 |
| _version_ | 1797212164353687552 |
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| author | Leizi Min Alimjan Ablitip Rui Wang Torquati Luciana Mengxian Wei Xindong Ma |
| author_facet | Leizi Min Alimjan Ablitip Rui Wang Torquati Luciana Mengxian Wei Xindong Ma |
| author_sort | Leizi Min |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: The equilibrium between gut microbiota (GM) and the host plays a pivotal role in maintaining overall health, influencing various physiological and metabolic functions. Emerging research suggests that exercise modulates the abundance and functionality of gut bacteria, yet the comprehensive effects on GM diversity remain to be synthesized. Objectives and Design: The study aims to quantitatively examine the effect of exercise on the diversity of gut microbiota of adults using a systemic review and meta-analysis approach. Methods: PubMed, Ebsco, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Data were searched from their inception to September 2023. Exercise intervention studies with a control group that describe and compare the composition of GM in adults, using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, were included in this meta-analysis. Results: A total of 25 studies were included in this meta-analysis with a total of 1044 participants. Based on a fixed-effects model [Chi<sup>2</sup> = 29.40, <i>df</i> = 20 (<i>p</i> = 0.08); <i>I</i><sup>2</sup> = 32%], the pooled analysis showed that compared with the control group, exercise intervention can significantly increase the alpha diversity of adult GM, using the Shannon index as an example [WMD = 0.05, 95% CI (0.00, 0.09); Z = 1.99 (<i>p</i> = 0.05)]. In addition, exercise interventions were found to significantly alter GM, notably decreasing Bacteroidetes and increasing Firmicutes, indicating a shift in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. The subgroup analysis indicates that females and older adults appear to exhibit more significant changes in the Shannon Index and observed OTUs. Conclusions: Exercise may be a promising way to improve GM in adults. In particular, the Shannon index was significantly increased after exercise. Distinct responses in GM diversity to exercise interventions based on gender and age implicated that more research was needed. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T10:38:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8560983f56e6478bb0bfab614fc0c052 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-6643 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T10:38:02Z |
| publishDate | 2024-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nutrients |
| spelling | doaj.art-8560983f56e6478bb0bfab614fc0c0522024-04-12T13:24:31ZengMDPI AGNutrients2072-66432024-04-01167107010.3390/nu16071070Effects of Exercise on Gut Microbiota of Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisLeizi Min0Alimjan Ablitip1Rui Wang2Torquati Luciana3Mengxian Wei4Xindong Ma5Division of Sports Science and Physical Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, ChinaDivision of Sports Science and Physical Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, ChinaDivision of Sports Science and Physical Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, ChinaDepartment of Public Health and Sport Sciences, Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter EX1 2HZ, UKDivision of Sports Science and Physical Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, ChinaDivision of Sports Science and Physical Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, ChinaBackground: The equilibrium between gut microbiota (GM) and the host plays a pivotal role in maintaining overall health, influencing various physiological and metabolic functions. Emerging research suggests that exercise modulates the abundance and functionality of gut bacteria, yet the comprehensive effects on GM diversity remain to be synthesized. Objectives and Design: The study aims to quantitatively examine the effect of exercise on the diversity of gut microbiota of adults using a systemic review and meta-analysis approach. Methods: PubMed, Ebsco, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Data were searched from their inception to September 2023. Exercise intervention studies with a control group that describe and compare the composition of GM in adults, using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, were included in this meta-analysis. Results: A total of 25 studies were included in this meta-analysis with a total of 1044 participants. Based on a fixed-effects model [Chi<sup>2</sup> = 29.40, <i>df</i> = 20 (<i>p</i> = 0.08); <i>I</i><sup>2</sup> = 32%], the pooled analysis showed that compared with the control group, exercise intervention can significantly increase the alpha diversity of adult GM, using the Shannon index as an example [WMD = 0.05, 95% CI (0.00, 0.09); Z = 1.99 (<i>p</i> = 0.05)]. In addition, exercise interventions were found to significantly alter GM, notably decreasing Bacteroidetes and increasing Firmicutes, indicating a shift in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. The subgroup analysis indicates that females and older adults appear to exhibit more significant changes in the Shannon Index and observed OTUs. Conclusions: Exercise may be a promising way to improve GM in adults. In particular, the Shannon index was significantly increased after exercise. Distinct responses in GM diversity to exercise interventions based on gender and age implicated that more research was needed.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/7/1070exercisephysical activityhumangut microbiotasystematic reviewmeta-analysis |
| spellingShingle | Leizi Min Alimjan Ablitip Rui Wang Torquati Luciana Mengxian Wei Xindong Ma Effects of Exercise on Gut Microbiota of Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Nutrients exercise physical activity human gut microbiota systematic review meta-analysis |
| title | Effects of Exercise on Gut Microbiota of Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis |
| title_full | Effects of Exercise on Gut Microbiota of Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis |
| title_fullStr | Effects of Exercise on Gut Microbiota of Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of Exercise on Gut Microbiota of Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis |
| title_short | Effects of Exercise on Gut Microbiota of Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis |
| title_sort | effects of exercise on gut microbiota of adults a systematic review and meta analysis |
| topic | exercise physical activity human gut microbiota systematic review meta-analysis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/7/1070 |
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