Gut-muscle Axis: Exploring the Gut Microbiota Influences Host Energy Sources and Exercise Performance

Through training, the investigators can adjust the composition and functions of gut microbiota. Exercise also alters the body's energy metabolism pathways, which, in turn, impacts the gut microbiota and its metabolic products. Understanding how the body utilizes and regulates energy during exercise is essential for enhancing athletic performance. This study aims to explore the relationships among post-exercise energy metabolites, gut microbiota, and their metabolic products, applying omics technologies in the field of sports science.

This interdisciplinary research will contribute to fields such as exercise physiology, sports nutrition, exercise biochemistry, and sports medicine, providing innovative and practical research insights for advancing sports science in our country.

The gut microbiota, which is comprised of trillions of microbes, is the collective term for the gut microbiota. It establishes a symbiotic relationship with the host and plays a vital role in maintaining host health. Through training, the investigators can adjust the composition and functions of gut microbiota. Exercise also alters the body's energy metabolism pathways, which, in turn, impacts the gut microbiota and its metabolic products. Understanding how the body utilizes and regulates energy during exercise is essential for enhancing athletic performance. This study aims to explore the relationships among post-exercise energy metabolites, gut microbiota, and their metabolic products, applying omics technologies in the field of sports science.

This interdisciplinary research will contribute to fields such as exercise physiology, sports nutrition, exercise biochemistry, and sports medicine, providing innovative and practical research insights for advancing sports science in our country.

Eligibility Criteria:
Marathon Running Group

Inclusion Criteria:

* Training frequency of at least 3 times per week in the past year, with each session involving at least 1 hour of running.
* Participation in at least 2 marathon events within the past 2 years, with a completion time of under 4 hours and 30 minutes for a full marathon, or under 2 hours and 15 minutes for a half marathon.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Excludes individuals with cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, epilepsy, bronchitis, severe asthma, heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, bacterial or viral infections, disabilities, or chronic bone diseases.
* Habitual smokers.
* Individuals with highly irregular eating habits or sleep patterns due to shift work or night work.
* History of chronic neuro-muscular injuries or disorders in the past 6 months.
* Individuals who have received antibiotic treatment or taken probiotic supplements in the past 6 months.

General Healthy Adult Group

Inclusion Criteria:

* Generally healthy, untrained individuals.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Excludes individuals with cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, epilepsy, bronchitis, severe asthma, heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, bacterial or viral infections, disabilities, or chronic bone diseases.
* Habitual smokers.
* Individuals with highly irregular eating habits or sleep patterns due to shift work or night work.
* History of chronic neuro-muscular injuries or disorders in the past 6 months.
* Individuals who have received antibiotic treatment or taken probiotic supplements in the past 6 months.