Impact of exercise-induced alterations on gut microbiota diversity and composition: comparing effects of different training modalities

Abstract Exercise has been shown to influence gut microbiota composition, but the specific effects of different exercise modalities on microbial diversity remain unclear. Understanding these differences is essential for optimizing exercise programs to enhance both physical fitness and gut health. Th...

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Main Authors: Yihan Wang, Shuang Bai, Tiance Yang, Jianjun Guo, Xiaoming Zhu, Ying Dong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-07-01
Series:Cell Regeneration
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13619-025-00244-y
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author Yihan Wang
Shuang Bai
Tiance Yang
Jianjun Guo
Xiaoming Zhu
Ying Dong
author_facet Yihan Wang
Shuang Bai
Tiance Yang
Jianjun Guo
Xiaoming Zhu
Ying Dong
author_sort Yihan Wang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Exercise has been shown to influence gut microbiota composition, but the specific effects of different exercise modalities on microbial diversity remain unclear. Understanding these differences is essential for optimizing exercise programs to enhance both physical fitness and gut health. This study compared the gut microbiota profiles of participants undergoing moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and high-intensity functional training (HIFT) using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Thirty-one previously untrained healthy university students were randomly assigned into MICT (n = 7), HIIT (n = 12) and HIFT (n = 12). The results revealed that distinct gut microbiome profiles in participants under different exercise modes. Notably, the alpha-diversity gradually increased from the MICT group to the HIFT group. In addition, there was a progressive shift towards a Faecalibacterium-dominated microbial type from HIIT to HIFT group compared to MICT group. Individuals in the HIFT group were identified to be enriched with Lactobacillus and Limosilactobacillus, along with reduced Actinomyces and Anaeromassilibacillus. Functionally, the KEGG pathway and enzyme analysis using PICRUST2 revealed that the HIFT group exhibited prominence in muscle function-related pathways and enzymes, specifically ko00280 (valine, leucine, and isoleucine degradation), as well as the enzyme EC: 3.4.11.14 (alanine aminopeptidase). In conclusion, these findings highlight how exercise modality influences gut microbial diversity, with HIFT promoting a more favorable microbial profile compared to traditional endurance training. Understanding these effects can help tailor exercise programs to improve both fitness and gut health.
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spelling doaj-art-407337aeb2124dfda62ce2bb73fd96172025-08-20T03:03:37ZengSpringerOpenCell Regeneration2045-97692025-07-0114111510.1186/s13619-025-00244-yImpact of exercise-induced alterations on gut microbiota diversity and composition: comparing effects of different training modalitiesYihan Wang0Shuang Bai1Tiance Yang2Jianjun Guo3Xiaoming Zhu4Ying Dong5Class of Clinical Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical UniversitySchool of Kinesiology and Health, Capital University of Physical Education and SportsSchool of Kinesiology and Health, Capital University of Physical Education and SportsSchool of Kinesiology and Health, Capital University of Physical Education and SportsHeart Center & Beijing Key Laboratory of Hypertension, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical UniversityHeart Center & Beijing Key Laboratory of Hypertension, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical UniversityAbstract Exercise has been shown to influence gut microbiota composition, but the specific effects of different exercise modalities on microbial diversity remain unclear. Understanding these differences is essential for optimizing exercise programs to enhance both physical fitness and gut health. This study compared the gut microbiota profiles of participants undergoing moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and high-intensity functional training (HIFT) using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Thirty-one previously untrained healthy university students were randomly assigned into MICT (n = 7), HIIT (n = 12) and HIFT (n = 12). The results revealed that distinct gut microbiome profiles in participants under different exercise modes. Notably, the alpha-diversity gradually increased from the MICT group to the HIFT group. In addition, there was a progressive shift towards a Faecalibacterium-dominated microbial type from HIIT to HIFT group compared to MICT group. Individuals in the HIFT group were identified to be enriched with Lactobacillus and Limosilactobacillus, along with reduced Actinomyces and Anaeromassilibacillus. Functionally, the KEGG pathway and enzyme analysis using PICRUST2 revealed that the HIFT group exhibited prominence in muscle function-related pathways and enzymes, specifically ko00280 (valine, leucine, and isoleucine degradation), as well as the enzyme EC: 3.4.11.14 (alanine aminopeptidase). In conclusion, these findings highlight how exercise modality influences gut microbial diversity, with HIFT promoting a more favorable microbial profile compared to traditional endurance training. Understanding these effects can help tailor exercise programs to improve both fitness and gut health.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13619-025-00244-yGut MicrobiotaHIFTHIITMICT16S rRNA
spellingShingle Yihan Wang
Shuang Bai
Tiance Yang
Jianjun Guo
Xiaoming Zhu
Ying Dong
Impact of exercise-induced alterations on gut microbiota diversity and composition: comparing effects of different training modalities
Cell Regeneration
Gut Microbiota
HIFT
HIIT
MICT
16S rRNA
title Impact of exercise-induced alterations on gut microbiota diversity and composition: comparing effects of different training modalities
title_full Impact of exercise-induced alterations on gut microbiota diversity and composition: comparing effects of different training modalities
title_fullStr Impact of exercise-induced alterations on gut microbiota diversity and composition: comparing effects of different training modalities
title_full_unstemmed Impact of exercise-induced alterations on gut microbiota diversity and composition: comparing effects of different training modalities
title_short Impact of exercise-induced alterations on gut microbiota diversity and composition: comparing effects of different training modalities
title_sort impact of exercise induced alterations on gut microbiota diversity and composition comparing effects of different training modalities
topic Gut Microbiota
HIFT
HIIT
MICT
16S rRNA
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13619-025-00244-y
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