Yaji Zhang^1,, Rong Diao¹, Long Zhang¹

Probiotics are live microorganisms that may have health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts. Many athletes suffered from fatigue, gastrointestinal distress, mood disturbances, and underperformance due to overtraining or highly intensive competition. The use of probiotics in sports has been growing in recent years due to various beneficial effects including improvement of muscle endurance and intestinal health, amelioration of symptoms of metabolic disorder, as well as reduction of oxidative stress. Moreover, approximately 70% of the immune system is located in the gut and probiotic supplementation has been shown to promote a healthy immune system and inhibit the growth of harmful gut bacteria. Recent studies showed that probiotics can do more than improve gut health. They also may indirectly help with the depression and mental stress of athletes. Here, we present a comprehensive review of the key beneficial effects of probiotics on athletes and discuss the potential mechanisms.

Probiotics, metabolic health, athletes, overtraining, recovery, gut microbiota