The effects of Bimuno® GOS on athlete digestive health and immunity in a cohort of elite rugby union players
Athlete wellbeing
Significant
stressors, such as high training loads, can negatively impact athlete wellbeing
and increase the risk of acute upper respiratory symptoms (URS) and induce
functional gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) (Keaney et al., 2018; Wilson., 2019).
Like many athletes participating in team sports, elite rugby union players
follow a training schedule that is both physically and psychologically
demanding (Den Hartigh et al., 2022). On average, these players experience four
episodes of upper respiratory illness and one GI complaint per season,
increasing the likelihood of training and competition absence (Cunniffe et al.,
2009). Therefore, reducing the frequency and severity of these symptoms and
accelerating recovery could help to optimise athlete wellbeing and performance.
Biotics and immune health
The gut microbiome has a substantial influence on systemic immunity and can be manipulated through dietary interventions, such as prebiotic and probiotic supplementation (Roberfroid et al., 2010). Research has shown that probiotics can reduce the incidence of URS in aerobic athletes, such as runners (Cox et al., 2010; Gleeson et al., 2011; Strasser et al., 2016), as well as those participating in team sports, such as rugby (Haywood et al., 2014). This is, in part, due to better maintenance of the immune system and how it can control the release of key markers of immunity, such as salivary immunoglobulin A (slgA), which acts as an initial line of defence against pathogens (Gleeson et al., 2011).
Unlike probiotics, prebiotics act as a substrate for gut bacteria and could provide an effective way of reducing URS and GIS. Bimuno® GOS, a type of prebiotic fibre containing galactooligosaccharides (GOS), has been shown to increase the amount of bifidobacteria in the gut (Depeint et al., 2008; Vulevic et al., 2008) and in turn, elicit positive immunomodulatory effects in a range of populations, including older adults, asthmatics and healthy individuals (Vulevic et al., 2013; Vulelvic et al., 2015; Williams et al., 2016).
Bimuno® GOS and athlete wellbeing
In 2023, Parker and colleagues conducted a randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled trial during a competitive rugby union season. Thirty-three healthy, elite rugby union players volunteered to take part in the trial and were matched into pairs based on body mass and playing position. Participants took part in 4 to 5 training sessions a week, as well as one competitive match and at least one rest day. The players were randomised to consume either the 2.8g/day of placebo (maltodextrin) or 2.8g/day of Bimuno® GOS across 24-weeks (Parker et al., 2023). The results showed that Bimuno® GOS significantly reduced URS duration by 2-days and increased the secretion rate of sIgA by 2.4-fold, indicating a positive effect on immunity. Weekly upper GIS scores were also lower in the athletes consuming Bimuno® GOS and they experienced more GIS-free weeks compared to the placebo group.
The Takeaway
These results support the theory that the consumption of prebiotics, such as Bimuno® GOS, could support immune and gastrointestinal
health in athletes, which could translate into better overall athlete wellbeing
and less time missed from training and competition.
Read the full open access paper here:
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