A group of scientists from the USA found out how intestinal microflora affects the effectiveness of physical activity.
As it turned out, muscle growth depends on the presence of a healthy microbiome in the intestines. These bacteria are able to produce substances that stimulate the growth of muscle mass after exercise.
Under the leadership of John McCarthy, researchers conducted an experiment involving rats that had to run in a special wheel every day. Half of the animals received antibiotics that damage the microbiome in their intestines.
A few weeks later, the authors of the work compared the condition of the muscles of the rodents from the two groups and found out that the rodents that used drugs that suppress the microbiome were in worse physical shape than their healthy relatives.
"It's clear that the gut microbiome produces substances that are important for skeletal muscle to fully adapt to exercise and help improve athletic performance," says McCarthy.