Altered Fecal Microbiotas and Organic Acid Concentrations Indicate Possible Gut Dysbiosis in University Rugby Players: An Observational Study

Abstract

Gut eubiosis is essential for the host’s health. In athletes, the gut microbiota can be altered by several factors, including diets. While eubiotic gut microbiota in elite rugby players has been reported, our survey found that university rugby players suffered from loose stools and frequent urgency to defecate. To establish the causes of the condition, the microbiota and the concentrations of organic acids in fecal samples of university male rugby players (URP) were analyzed and compared with those of age-matching, non-rugby playing males (control). Body mass indices were significantly (p p p Collinsella, Enterobacter, and Haemophilus were significantly (p Akkermansia was lower (p < 0.05) in URP than in control. Succinate, a potential causative of gut inflammation, was five-fold higher in URP than in controls. Our findings all but confirmed that the dysbiotic status of gut in URP.

Keywords

• gut dysbiosis
• university rugby player
• dietary fiber
• microbiota
• organic acid