Dynamics of gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids during a cycling Grand Tour are related to exercise performance and modulated by dietary intake

ABSTRACT

Objective The aim of this study was to analyse the dynamics of faecal microbiota composition and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) content of professional cyclists over a Grand Tour, and their relationship with performance and dietary intake.

Design 16 professional cyclists competing in La Vuelta 2019 were recruited. Faecal samples were collected at four time points: The day before the first stage (A); After 9 stages (B); After 15 stages (C); On the last stage (D). Faecal microbiota populations and SCFAs content were analysed using 16S rRNA sequencing and gas chromatography, respectively.

Results A principal component analysis (PCA) followed by Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) models were carried out to explore the dynamics of microbiota and SCFAs, and its relationship with performance. Bifidobacteriaceae, Coriobacteriaceae, Erysipelotrichaceae, and Sutterellaceae dynamics showed a strong final performance predictive value (R2=0.83, ranking and R2=0.81, accumulated time). Positive correlations were observed between Coriobacteriaceae and acetate and isovalerate and Bifidobacteriaceae and isobutyrate. No relationship was observed between SCFAs and performance. The abundance of Bifidobacteriaceae, Coriobacteriaceae, and Erysipelotrichaceae at the beginning of La Vuelta was directly related to the previous intake of a complex-carbohydrate-rich food, potatoes, while during the competition the abundance of Bifidobacteriaceae was negatively affected by the intake of simple carbohydrates from supplements.

Conclusion An ecological perspective represents more realistically the relationship between gut microbiota composition and performance, compared to single-taxon approaches. The composition and periodisation of diet and supplementation during a Grand Tour, particularly carbohydrates, could be designed to modulate gut microbiota composition that allow better performance.

What is already known on this topic Gut microbiota composition and metabolic activity change in response to acute exercise and training and can directly influence physical performance. However, the effect of a cycling stage race, which entails repeated and continuous days of competition, with extreme physiological and metabolic demands, has not been analysed.

What this study adds Our results show that microbiota dynamics during a Grand Tour involve many taxa and allow performance prediction. Those dynamics are related to dietary intake, both prior to and during competition.

How this study might affect research, practice or policy Our results demonstrate that limiting the relationship between gut microbiota composition and sports performance to a single taxon or metabolite is a reductionist approach that does not reflect the complexity of the microbial ecosystem. It may help to optimize the composition and periodisation of diet and supplementation based on gut microbiota modulation to optimize performance.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Funding Statement

This study was funded by FICYT-Government of the Principality of Asturias (Ayudas para grupos de investigacion del Principado de Asturias, grant AYUD/2021/51347) and Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICINN, grant PID2021-127812OB-I00), to FL. We also acknowledge the funding of the grant from the Spanish State Research Agency RTI2018-095021-J-I00 (funded by (MCIU/AEI/FEDER, UE), to LR.

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I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained.

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Both the study design and the informed consent were reviewed and authorized by the Principality of Asturias Research Ethics Committee, Spain (Ref.: 238/19).

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