Gut bugs may help athletes bounce back faster

NCT ID NCT05588674

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether taking a multi-strain probiotic supplement for 8.5 weeks can improve exercise performance and recovery in recreational athletes. 36 healthy adults aged 18-40 who exercise regularly took either the probiotic or a placebo daily. Researchers measured things like cycling performance, muscle soreness, inflammation, and gut bacteria changes. The goal is to see if probiotics can help athletes recover more quickly after tough workouts.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
multi-strain probiotic supplement
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a natural way to help athletes recover faster after intense exercise.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-stage study with only 36 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The effect on performance may be small or not noticeable.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for ACUTE EXERCISE are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Loughborough University

    Loughborough, LE11 3TU, United Kingdom

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.