The Acute Effects of an Endurance Exercise Bout on the Gut Microbiome and Gut-derived Metabolome in Women with Distinct Fitness and Body Mass Indexes

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to study how a single session of aerobic exercise affects the gut microbiome and metabolome in adult premenopausal women with different fitness levels and body mass indexes (BMI), including those with obesity and without. The study focuses on understanding changes in short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria and their metabolic activity in response to a 30-minute exercise bout. It also explores changes in gut microbiome-released metabolites in stool and blood samples. Participants will engage in a 30-minute cycling exercise at 60 to 70% of their heart rate reserve during the study. The study involves three in-person visits: a baseline visit for health and fitness assessments including strength and endurance tests, and body composition analysis; an exercise test day with blood draws before and after exercise along with stool sample collection; and a follow-up visit 24 hours later for additional blood and stool sample collection and to return monitoring devices. Participants will also track their diet and physical activity throughout the study. Throughout the trial, participants will undergo detailed evaluations including stool and blood sample collection, strength and cardiovascular fitness testing, and body composition analysis via DXA scan. Researchers will monitor the gut microbiome composition and function, as well as plasma and stool metabolome at multiple time points. Safety measures include monitoring for adverse effects from blood draws, stool collection, and exercise, with confidentiality maintained through de-identified data. The total study duration for each participant spans approximately three visits over a few weeks.

How a Single Workout Affects Gut Bugs in Women With Different Fitness Levels and Body Types