Exploring the Effects of Six Weeks of Resistance Training on the Fecal Microbiome of Older Adult Males: Secondary Analysis of a Peanut Protein Supplemented Randomized Controlled Trial
Johnathon H. Moore,
Kristen S. Smith,
Dongquan Chen,
Donald A. Lamb,
Morgan A. Smith,
Shelby C. Osburn,
Bradley A. Ruple,
Casey D. Morrow,
Kevin W. Huggins,
James R. McDonald,
Michael D. Brown,
Kaelin C. Young,
Michael D. Roberts,
Andrew D. Frugé
Affiliations
Johnathon H. Moore
School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
Kristen S. Smith
Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Hospitality Management, College of Human Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
Dongquan Chen
Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, Division of Preventive Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
Donald A. Lamb
Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Hospitality Management, College of Human Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
Morgan A. Smith
School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
Shelby C. Osburn
School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
Bradley A. Ruple
School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
Casey D. Morrow
Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, Division of Preventive Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
Kevin W. Huggins
Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Hospitality Management, College of Human Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
James R. McDonald
School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
Michael D. Brown
School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
Kaelin C. Young
School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
Michael D. Roberts
School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
Andrew D. Frugé
Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Hospitality Management, College of Human Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
The bacteria inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract contribute to numerous host functions and can be altered by lifestyle factors. We aimed to determine whether a 6-week training intervention altered fecal microbiome diversity and/or function in older males. Fecal samples were collected prior to and following a 6-week twice-weekly supervised resistance training intervention in 14 older Caucasian males (65 ± 10 years, 28.5 ± 3.2 kg/m2) with minimal prior training experience. Participants were randomized to receive a daily defatted peanut powder supplement providing 30 g protein (n = 8) or no supplement (n = 6) during the intervention. Bacterial DNA was isolated from pre-and post-training fecal samples, and taxa were identified using sequencing to amplify the variable region 4 (V4) of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. Training significantly increased whole-body and lower-body lean mass (determined by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) as well as leg extensor strength (p p = 0.047); the tight junction protein, zonulin, was measured in serum and non-significantly decreased after training (p = 0.062). Our data suggest that resistance training may improve intestinal barrier integrity in older Caucasian males; further investigation is warranted.
