Comparative Analysis of Gut Microbiota in Collegiate Swimmers Following Changes in Exercise

Exercise can influence gut microbial community structure and diversity; however, the temporal dynamics of this association have rarely been explored. Here we characterized fecal microbiota in response to short term changes in training volume. Fecal samples, body composition, and training logs were collected from Division I NCAA collegiate swimmers during peak training through their in-season taper in 2016 (n = 9) and 2017 (n = 7), capturing a systematic reduction in training volume near the conclusion of their athletic season. Fecal microbiota were characterized using 16S rRNA V4 amplicon sequencing and multivariate statistical analysis, Spearman rank correlations, and random forest models. Peak training volume, measured as swimming distance, decreased significantly during the study period from 32.6 ± 4.8 km/wk to 11.3 ± 8.1 km/wk (ANOVA, p Faecalibacterium and Coprococcus. Together these data suggested changes in training volume significantly influence the gut microbiome; future research will establish whether these changes are associated with energy balance or nutrient intake.