Biological sciences insights into gut microbiota, exercise physiology, and gastrointestinal function

Abstract

Gut microbiota are the microorganisms living in the human intestine, play a pivotal role in synthesizing of various substances essential for growth, development and overall body’s health. Exercise physiology has its effects on skeletal muscle bioenergetics, endocrine signaling, and systemic metabolic adaptation which directly and indirectly regulates the gut microbial ecosystem. There is a bidirectional interaction between physical exercise and gut microbiota which exerts a significant impact on human metabolic health and gastrointestinal function. By reviewing relevant domestic and international literature, this article summarizes the relationships among exercise, gut microbiota, metabolic health, and gastrointestinal function insight of biological sciences. Firstly, it introduces the regulatory effect of exercise on gut microbiota and its diversity, clarifies the impact of different exercise types on the structure of gut microbiota, and explains the potential mechanisms of exercise regulating gut microbiota. Secondly, it presents multiple mechanisms through which gut microbiota exert reciprocal effects on exercise-related health. Finally, it elucidates the influence of the "bidirectional regulatory" network between exercise and gut microbiota on metabolic health and gastrointestinal function, providing a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of metabolic diseases and gastrointestinal dysfunction.