Elizabeth A. Holzhausen et al
This study examined the relationship between physical activity, active transportation and gut microbiome composition. Researchers analyzed existing stool samples and physical activity data from 720 Wisconsin residents who participated in the WARRIOR Study (Winning the War on Antibiotic Resistance). Dr. Holzhausen and her team found the highest levels of beneficial gut microbiome diversity among individuals who reported outdoor physical activity (active transportation), especially among those who lived in rural areas of the state.
Using gene sequencing of the V3-V4 region of 16S rRNA extracted from stool, the study found that individuals engaging in regular active transportation had an increased presence of beneficial Phascolarctobacterium and a reduction in harmful Clostridium. Additionally, physical activity, particularly moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, was associated with higher levels of beneficial bacteria from the Erysipelotrichaceae family.
This study underscores the positive impact of outdoor physical activity on gut microbiome composition and contributes to the growing body of evidence on the role of physical activity in improving gut health.