Effects of exercise frequency on the gut microbiota in elderly individuals

Zhu, Qiwei; Jiang, Shangfei; Du, Guankui

doi:10.1002/mbo3.1053

Cited by 53 publications

(61 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…This is in contrast to previous findings where regular exercise and sustained levels of increased physical activity have been shown to enhance microbial diversity independent of diet [16,17,56]. Interestingly, a recent report shows that, even though regular exercise among older adults is important to maintain a stable gut microbiota, the α-diversity was not significantly different between older adults performing regular exercise compared to those who did not [57]. On a family level, a change in relative abundance of several bacterial families was observed, but not in the Ruminococcaceae family, to which F. prausnitzii belongs.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 94%

Differences in Gut Microbiome Composition between Senior Orienteering Athletes and Community-Dwelling Older Adults

et al. 2020

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Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) health is an important aspect of general health. Gastrointestinal symptoms are of specific importance for the elderly, an increasing group globally. Hence, promoting the elderly’s health and especially gastrointestinal health is important. Gut microbiota can influence gastrointestinal health by modulation of the immune system and the gut–brain axis. Diverse gut microbiota have been shown to be beneficial; however, for the elderly, the gut microbiota is often less diverse. Nutrition and physical activity, in particular, are two components that have been suggested to influence composition or diversity. Materials and Methods: In this study, we compared gut microbiota between two groups of elderly individuals: community-dwelling older adults and physically active senior orienteering athletes, where the latter group has less gastrointestinal symptoms and a reported better well-being. With this approach, we explored if certain gut microbiota were related to healthy ageing. The participant data and faecal samples were collected from these two groups and the microbiota was whole-genome sequenced and taxonomically classified with MetaPhlAn. Results: The physically active senior orienteers had a more homogeneous microbiota within the group and a higher abundance of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii compared to the community-dwelling older adults. Faecalibacterium prausnitzii has previously shown to have beneficial properties. Senior orienteers also had a lower abundance of Parasutterella excrementihominis and Bilophila unclassified, which have been associated with impaired GI health. We could not observe any difference between the groups in terms of Shannon diversity index. Interestingly, a subgroup of community-dwelling older adults showed an atypical microbiota profile as well as the parameters for gastrointestinal symptoms and well-being closer to senior orienteers. Conclusions: Our results suggest specific composition characteristics of healthy microbiota in the elderly, and show that certain components of nutrition as well as psychological distress are not as tightly connected with composition or diversity variation in faecal microbiota samples.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 94%

Differences in Gut Microbiome Composition between Senior Orienteering Athletes and Community-Dwelling Older Adults

et al. 2020

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“…Generally, a higher diversity of the gut microbiota was associated with a better health status [102]. Several studies in humans indicated a higher inter-individual variability and a lower diversity of the gut microbiota in older individuals [101], although the latter was not confirmed in all studies [103]. Studies in professional athletes showed that a high physical exercise level [104,105] is associated with a higher α-diversity of the gut microbiota compared to controls.…”

Section: Association With α-Diversity Indicesmentioning

confidence: 98%

The Effects of Lifestyle and Diet on Gut Microbiota Composition, Inflammation and Muscle Performance in Our Aging Society

et al. 2021

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Living longer is associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases, including impairments of the musculoskeletal and immune system as well as metabolic disorders and certain cancers, each of which can negatively affect the relationship between host and microbiota up to the occurrence of dysbiosis. On the other hand, lifestyle factors, including regular physical exercise and a healthy diet, can affect skeletal muscle and immune aging positively at all ages. Accordingly, health benefits could partly depend on the effect of such interventions that influence the biodiversity and functionality of intestinal microbiota. In the present review, we first discuss the physiological effects of aging on the gut microbiota, immune system, and skeletal muscle. Secondly, we describe human epidemiological evidence about the associations between physical activity and fitness and the gut microbiota composition in older adults. The third part highlights the relevance and restorative mechanisms of immune protection through physical activity and specific exercise interventions during aging. Fourth, we present important research findings on the effects of exercise and protein as well as other nutrients on skeletal muscle performance in older adults. Finally, we provide nutritional recommendations to prevent malnutrition and support healthy active aging with a focus on gut microbiota. Key nutrition-related concerns include the need for adequate energy and protein intake for preventing low muscle mass and a higher demand for specific nutrients (e.g., dietary fiber, polyphenols and polyunsaturated fatty acids) that can modify the composition, diversity, and metabolic capacity of the gut microbiota, and may thus provide a practical means of enhancing gut and systemic immune function.

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“…Thus, VO 2 max seems to be a good predictor of gut microbial diversity and metabolic function in healthy humans. Recent findings from the American Gut Project revealed that chronic exercise training benefits older adults by maintaining the stability of the gut microbiota (microbial composition and function) induced by aging [ 277 ]. Recent data demonstrated that masters athletes can be seen as a model of healthy aging also from the perspective of the microbiota [ 278 ].…”

Section: Nutritional Considerations For Masters Athletesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutrition for Older Athletes: Focus on Sex-Differences

et al. 2021

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Regular physical exercise and a healthy diet are major determinants of a healthy lifespan. Although aging is associated with declining endurance performance and muscle function, these components can favorably be modified by regular physical activity and especially by exercise training at all ages in both sexes. In addition, age-related changes in body composition and metabolism, which affect even highly trained masters athletes, can in part be compensated for by higher exercise metabolic efficiency in active individuals. Accordingly, masters athletes are often considered as a role model for healthy aging and their physical capacities are an impressive example of what is possible in aging individuals. In the present review, we first discuss physiological changes, performance and trainability of older athletes with a focus on sex differences. Second, we describe the most important hormonal alterations occurring during aging pertaining regulation of appetite, glucose homeostasis and energy expenditure and the modulatory role of exercise training. The third part highlights nutritional aspects that may support health and physical performance for older athletes. Key nutrition-related concerns include the need for adequate energy and protein intake for preventing low bone and muscle mass and a higher demand for specific nutrients (e.g., vitamin D and probiotics) that may reduce the infection burden in masters athletes. Fourth, we present important research findings on the association between exercise, nutrition and the microbiota, which represents a rapidly developing field in sports nutrition.

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Effects of exercise frequency on the gut microbiota in elderly individuals

Cited by 53 publications

References 59 publications

Differences in Gut Microbiome Composition between Senior Orienteering Athletes and Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Differences in Gut Microbiome Composition between Senior Orienteering Athletes and Community-Dwelling Older Adults

The Effects of Lifestyle and Diet on Gut Microbiota Composition, Inflammation and Muscle Performance in Our Aging Society

Nutrition for Older Athletes: Focus on Sex-Differences

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