Study of Probiotic Supplements and Physical Activity Effects on Body and Health in Non-Athletic Female University Students

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating the effects of probiotic supplementation and physical activity on the health of healthy women who are university students and do not regularly practice sports. This prospective, randomized, double-blind study aims to understand how these interventions influence body composition, muscle mass, mental and physical health, and microbiota balance. The study is motivated by the important role intestinal microbiota plays in overall health, including immune function, hormone regulation, and digestion, which can be affected by diet, medications, contraceptive use, and physical activity levels. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups probiotic with physical activity, probiotic without physical activity, placebo with physical activity, or placebo without physical activity. The probiotic used, Lactibianeae Reference, contains four specific strains and is taken daily as one capsule for six weeks. Those in the physical activity groups will engage in two 45-minute sessions per week involving muscle strengthening and endurance exercises, while others will remain sedentary but receive weekly phone contacts to support adherence. Throughout the study, participants will undergo medical examinations, including ECG and body measurements, and provide samples of intestinal microbiota and morning saliva to measure cortisol. They will complete questionnaires assessing mental health and quality of life and perform tests of strength and endurance. Nutritional intake will be recorded via a food diary. These assessments will be conducted at the start and end of the six-week intervention to measure changes in muscle mass, physical condition, eating behavior, microbiota composition, salivary cortisol, quality of life, and fat mass. The study will last about two months per participant.

Effect of Physical Activity and/or Probiotics on Body Composition and Physiological Parameters in Women