Effect of a Short-term Multi-strain Probiotic Supplementation on the Exercise- Associated Gastrointestinal Disturbances in Trained Female Athletes Under Controlled Conditions During Professional Training Cycle

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate the effect of a short-term 2-week multi-strain probiotic (MPRO) supplementation on exercise-related gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and disturbances in high-level female rowers from the Polish national team. The study focuses on how probiotics might influence GI integrity, immune responses, fecal bacterial composition, psychological stress, mood, and exercise performance during intense training. Women are particularly studied due to their higher likelihood of experiencing moderate to severe GI symptoms during endurance activities. Participants will receive either the MPRO supplement or a placebo in a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design. Each supplementation period lasts two weeks. The MPRO supplement includes several probiotic strains in capsules taken twice daily, while the placebo contains corn starch and maltodextrins in identical capsule form. The study includes familiarization and four main visits before and after supplementation periods, where various biological samples and questionnaires are collected. During each visit, participants undergo body composition measurements, saliva and blood sampling at rest and post-exercise, stool sample collection, and exercise performance assessments. They also complete validated GI symptoms and stress/mood questionnaires. Researchers will measure changes in gastrointestinal integrity and inflammation markers in blood and stool, gut microbiota diversity, cytokines, stress hormones, immune cell counts, GI symptoms, mood, and performance outcomes. The study is expected to last until June 2027 with comprehensive monitoring under controlled training conditions.

Effect of a Short-term Multi-strain Probiotic Supplementation in Endurance Athletes