Associations between Changes in Fat-Free Mass, Fecal Microbe Diversity, and Mood Disturbance in Young Adults after 10-Weeks of Resistance Training

Kristen S Smith; Molly M Morris; Casey D Morrow; Josh R Novak; Michael D Roberts; Andrew Dandridge Frugé

doi:10.3390/microorganisms10122344

Associations between Changes in Fat-Free Mass, Fecal Microbe Diversity, and Mood Disturbance in Young Adults after 10-Weeks of Resistance Training

Microorganisms. 2022 Nov 26;10(12):2344. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms10122344.

Authors

Kristen S Smith¹, Molly M Morris², Casey D Morrow³, Josh R Novak⁴, Michael D Roberts⁵, Andrew Dandridge Frugé^{1

6}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Hospitality Management, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA.
² College of Science and Mathematics, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA.
³ Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
⁴ Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA.
⁵ School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA.
⁶ College of Nursing, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA.

Abstract

Background: The gut microbiome contributes to numerous physiological processes in humans, and diet and exercise are known to alter both microbial composition and mood. We sought to explore the effect of a 10-week resistance training (RT) regimen with or without peanut protein supplementation (PPS) in untrained young adults on fecal microbiota and mood disturbance (MD).

Methods: Participants were randomized into PPS (n = 25) and control (CTL [no supplement]; n = 24) groups and engaged in supervised, full-body RT twice a week. Measures included body composition, fecal microbe relative abundance, alpha- and beta-diversity from 16 s rRNA gene sequencing with QIIME2 processing, dietary intake at baseline and following the 10-week intervention, and post-intervention MD via the profile of mood states (POMS) questionnaire. Independent samples t-tests were used to determine differences between PPS and CTL groups. Paired samples t-tests investigated differences within groups.

Results: Our sample was mostly female (69.4%), white (87.8%), normal weight (body mass index 24.6 ± 4.2 kg/m²), and 21 ± 2.0 years old. Shannon index significantly increased from baseline in all participants (p = 0.040), with no between-group differences or pre-post beta-diversity dissimilarities. Changes in Blautia abundance were associated with the positive POMS subscales, Vigor and self-esteem-related-affect (SERA) (rho = -0.451, p = 0.04; rho = -0.487, p = 0.025, respectively). Whole tree phylogeny changes were negatively correlated with SERA and Vigor (rho = -0.475, p = 0.046; rho = -0.582, p = 0.011, respectively) as well as change in bodyfat percentage (rho = -0.608, p = 0.007). Mediation analysis results indicate changes in PD Whole Tree Phylogeny was not a significant mediator of the relationship between change in fat-free mass and total MD.

Conclusions: Mood state subscales are associated with changes in microbial taxa and body composition. PD Whole Tree Phylogeny increased following the 10-week RT regimen; further research is warranted to explore how RT-induced changes in microbial diversity are related to changes in body composition and mood disturbance.

Keywords: alpha diversity; gut microbiome; profile of mood states; resistance training.

Grants and funding

2020/Peanut Institute