WCHP faculty research published in online journal Physiological Reports
Gregory Grosicki, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Health Sciences and Kinesiology, and colleagues from San Francisco State University, recently published their research titled, “Rapid Gut Microbiome Changes in a World-Class Ultramarathon Runner” in the journal Physiological Reports.
Their work focused on the physiological characteristics of a world-class ultramarathon runner before and after competing in the Western States Endurance Run, an invitation-only, 100-mile trail race in Northern California.
“In this study, we examined the athlete’s gut microbiome, a diverse population of bacterial cells residing in the gastrointestinal tract,” stated Grosicki.
According to recent research, the gut microbiome has been linked to many health implications, including a relationship between gut bacteria and many diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and depression.
“A gut microbiome analysis of the athlete was performed four times: 21 weeks before the race, two weeks before the race, two hours after the race and seven days after the race,” he said. “Immediately post-race, we saw both positive and negative changes in the athlete’s gut bacteria.”
Findings from this study highlight the likely significance of the gut microbiome in mediating relationships between exercise and human health. The Rossi Family Foundation provided funding in the amount of $1,600 for publication of the research.
Established in 2013, Physiological Reports is an online, open-access journal that published research in all areas of physiology on a monthly basis.
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