Gut Microbiome Response to Long-Haul Travel in Elite Football Players

Summary

The goal of this randomised control trial is to measure the gut microbiome response to long-haul travel alongside the demands of pre-season amongst elite football players. The efficacy of a probiotic in modulating the gut microbiome to mitigate the detrimental impacts of long-haul travel as well as training in the heat will also be explored. The main questions this study aims to answer are: * How is the gut microbiome of the professional football player impacted by long-haul travel during the pre-season period? * How is immune function impacted by the demands of pre-season? * Can a probiotic dietary maintain gut microbial stability in response to long-haul travel? Researchers will compare the effects of the probiotic supplement with a placebo. Participants will be required to: * Provide a faecal sample at multiple points throughout the pre-season * Provide a saliva sample at multiple points throughout the season * Consume a daily supplement which will either be a placebo or probiotic capsule

Timeline

Start

2025-07-25

Primary completion

2025-08-18

Completion

2026-08-15

Publications

• Background References Bielik, V., Hric, I., Ugrayová, S., Kubáňová, L., Putala, M., Grznár, Ľ., Penesová, A., Havranová, A., Šardzíková, S. and Grendar, M. (2022) Effect of high-intensity training and probiotics on gut microbiota diversity in competitive swimmers: randomized controlled trial. Sports medicine-open, 8(1), p. 64. Borg, G. A. (1982) Psychophysical bases of perceived exertion. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 14(5), pp. 377-381. Cani, P. D., Van Hul, M., Lefort, C., Depommier, C., Rastelli, M. and Everard, A. (2019) Microbial regulation of organismal energy homeostasis. Nature metabolism, 1(1), pp. 34-46. Casa, D. J., Becker, S. M., Ganio, M. S., Brown, C. M., Yeargin, S. W., Roti, M. W., Siegler, J., Blowers, J. A., Glaviano, N. R. and Huggins, R. A. (2007) Validity of devices that assess body temperature during outdoor exercise in the heat. Journal of athletic training, 42(3), p. 333. Chantler, S., Wood-Martin, R., Holliday, A., Davison, G., Crabtree, D. R., Readhead, C. and Jones, B. (2024) The frequency and severity of gastrointestinal symptoms in rugby players. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 45(04), pp. 323-221. Cinca-Morros, S. and Álvarez-Herms, J. (2024) The importance of maintaining and improving a healthy gut microbiota in athletes as a preventive strategy to improve heat tolerance and acclimatization. Microorganisms, 12(6), p. 1160. Donnan, K., Williams, E. L. and Stanger, N. (2021) The effects of heat exposure during intermittent exercise on physical and cognitive performance among team sport athletes. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 128(1), pp. 439-466. Fassarella, M., Blaak, E. E., Penders, J., Nauta, A., Smidt, H. and Zoetendal, E. G. (2021) Gut microbiome stability and resilience: elucidating the response to perturbations in order to modulate gut health. Gut, 70(3), pp. 595-605. Fessi, M. S., Nouira, S., Dellal, A., Owen, A., Elloumi, M. and Moalla, W. (2016) Changes of the psychophysical state and feeling of wellness of

Drugs

Indications

No indication recorded.