title: Exercise Modifies the Gut Microbiota with Positive Health Effects.
abstract: The human gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is inhabited by a wide cluster of microorganisms that play protective, structural, and metabolic functions for the intestinal mucosa. Gut microbiota is involved in the barrier functions and in the maintenance of its homeostasis. It provides nutrients, participates in the signaling network, regulates the epithelial development, and affects the immune system. Considering the microbiota ability to respond to homeostatic and physiological changes, some researchers proposed that it can be seen as an endocrine organ. Evidence suggests that different factors can determine changes in the gut microbiota. These changes can be both quantitative and qualitative resulting in variations of the composition and metabolic activity of the gut microbiota which, in turn, can affect health and different disease processes. Recent studies suggest that exercise can enhance the number of beneficial microbial species, enrich the microflora diversity, and improve the development of commensal bacteria. All these effects are beneficial for the host, improving its health status. In this paper, we intend to shed some light over the recent knowledge of the role played by exercise as an environmental factor in determining changes in microbial composition and how these effects could provide benefits to health and disease prevention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Human Physiology and Unit of Dietetic and Sport Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Monda
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Human Physiology and Unit of Dietetic and Sport Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Ines
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Villano
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Human Physiology and Unit of Dietetic and Sport Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonietta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Messina
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Valenzano
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Human Physiology and Unit of Dietetic and Sport Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Esposito
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Fiorenzo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Moscatelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Viggiano
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cibelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Human Physiology and Unit of Dietetic and Sport Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chieffi
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Human Physiology and Unit of Dietetic and Sport Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Marcellino
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Monda
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Human Physiology and Unit of Dietetic and Sport Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-0011-867X
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Messina
mesh_terms: D015444:Exercise; D000069196:Gastrointestinal Microbiome; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D019936:Probiotics