The effect of physical activity on gut microbiota. A review

Abstract This review examines how physical activity can modulate the gut microbiota, taking into account the training intensity used, the value of the load and the age group studied. The aim of the study is to show the significant interaction between exercise and its effects on the gut microbiota. Many of the studies we analysed showed an interesting correlation between the physical activity undertaken and the change in biodiversity and taxon representation, so we concluded that exercise can significantly modulate the composition of the gut microbiome. This also works the other way around, as doing too much intense and taxing exercise can lead to so-called intestinal dysbiosis, which promotes inflammatory reactions and other unfavourable metabolic consequences. Therefore, in this review, we have analysed the latest and most interesting body of literature oscillating around the complex relationship between the movement undertaken and its impact on the microbiome.