Effects of Probiotics Supplementation on Risk and Severity of Infections in Athletes: A Systematic Review

Mirella Di Dio; Patrizia Calella; Giuseppe Cerullo; Concetta Paola Pelullo; Valeria Di Onofrio; Francesca Gallè; Giorgio Liguori

doi:10.3390/ijerph191811534

Effects of Probiotics Supplementation on Risk and Severity of Infections in Athletes: A Systematic Review

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Sep 13;19(18):11534. doi: 10.3390/ijerph191811534.

Authors

Mirella Di Dio¹, Patrizia Calella¹, Giuseppe Cerullo¹, Concetta Paola Pelullo¹, Valeria Di Onofrio², Francesca Gallè¹, Giorgio Liguori¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Naples "Parthenope", 80133 Naples, Italy.
² Department of Sciences and Technologies, University of Naples "Parthenope", 80143 Naples, Italy.

Abstract

The aim of this review was to appraise the literature on the effects of probiotics supplementation on gastrointestinal (GI) and upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) risk and prognosis in athletes. The search was conducted using the following electronic databases: MEDLINE (PubMed); Web of Science; Scopus; and SPORTDiscus (EBSCO). According to the PRISMA guidelines, randomized controlled studies performed on healthy athletes with a note dose of probiotics supplementation were considered. From the 2304 articles found, after eliminating reviews and studies on animals and unhealthy subjects and after screening of titles and abstracts, 403 studies were considered eligible. From these, in accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 16 studies were selected, ten of which concerned endurance athletes. The majority of the studies reported beneficial effects of probiotics in reducing the risk of developing the examined infections or the severity of related symptoms. However, due to the differences in formulations used and populations analyzed in the available studies, further research is needed in this field to achieve stronger and more specific evidence.

Keywords: athletes; diet supplementation; gastrointestinal disorders; probiotic; upper respiratory tract infections.

Publication types

Review
Systematic Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Athletes
Gastrointestinal Tract
Health Status
Humans
Probiotics* / therapeutic use
Respiratory Tract Infections* / prevention & control

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Italian Ministry of University and Research—Operative Research Programme “Research and innovation” 2014–2020 under grant ARS01_01166, project “Development of Nutraceutical Products from Natural Sources—BIONUTRA”.