The Muscle Mag
Supplementation with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum PS128 (formerly known as Lactobacillus plantarum PS128) for four weeks before running a half marathon helped prevent declines in various measures, such as neuromuscular efficiency, following the race.
The researchers from The University of Taipei and Tamkang University stated, “The PS128 supplementation might prevent the decrease in median power frequency (MDF), integrated electromyography (iEMG), and peak torque after the half-marathon. As a result, recreational runners may want to consider incorporating a probiotic supplementation protocol as a potential strategy to reduce muscle fatigue post-half marathon. It is recommended that recreational runners follow a 4-week probiotic supplementation regimen to counteract muscle fatigue after completing a half-marathon.”
The microbiome and athletic performance
There is a growing interest in the connection between the gut microbiome and athletic performance, as well as the potential of using pre- and probiotics to enhance performance.
A comprehensive review of the athletic gut microbiota (Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 2020, Vol. 17, Article No: 24) revealed that a significant portion of human research on the athletic microbiome has been conducted only recently.
Since 2014, starting with a study on rugby players in Ireland, 10 studies have examined the composition of the gut microbiome among athletes. Seven of these studies were published in the past two years. The subjects included rugby players, professional cyclists, elite distance runners, competitive walkers, and Olympic rowers.
While understanding that elite athletes have a more diverse gut microbiome with higher levels of beneficial bacterial species is valuable, the next question is whether it is feasible to identify potential novel probiotic strains from these elite microbiomes.
The recent study focused on the potential of L. plantarum PS128 in reducing muscle fatigue after a half-marathon.
Study details
Researchers in Taiwan enlisted 16 participants for a double-blind, repeated-measures study. The volunteers were randomly split into two groups: one group received the PS128 probiotics, while the other received a placebo for four weeks leading up to a half-marathon. After a three-month washout period, the groups were switched, with each group completing another four-week period and another half-marathon.
The results indicated that the probiotic had a range of protective effects in the days following the half-marathon, suggesting that PS128 supplementation could be a potential approach to alleviate muscle fatigue after completing a half-marathon.
Source: Frontiers in Physiology
2023, Volume 14, doi: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1254985
“Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 on neuromuscular efficiency after a half-marathon”
Authors: C-H. Yu et al.
