Exercise is a physical activity which aims to maintain and improve the health of the body, There are lots of sports that we can do, from light exercises such as jogging, yoga, and cycling to heavy exercises such as weightlifting. Aside from helping to burn calories and maintaining ideal body weight, exercises can also maintain the overall health of the body.

Several research proved that by doing some exercise, we may reduce our level of stress. In a recent study conducted by the University of Turku and University of Jyväskylä found that exercise also has significant effects on the microbes in our intestines. In the research, it was found that exercise may help to change the composition of bacteria in our intestines without any change in diet or lifestyle.

The researchers conducted an endurance test on 17 women with a history of obesity. The participants were asked to follow a cycling endurance training program for six weeks, with three sessions per week. The endurance test was controlled by checking the heartbeat of the participants. By using 16s rRNA sequencing, researchers analysed the functions of intestinal bacteria of the participants.

The results showed that overall, there was a decline in the number of proteobacteria, which is a type of intestinal bacteria that may cause inflammation. Also, there was an increase in the number of good bacteria (Akkermansia) in the intestines. The high number of Akkermansia bacteria in the intestines is known to be related to better metabolism. Researchers also found that there was a decrease in the number of phospholipid and cholesterol in VLDL (very low-density lipoprotein) particle as a response to the exercise. The decrease of those substances gives a positive impact on cardiometabolic health.

Text by Anggie Triana
Stock photos from Image Google Search

Source(s):

• Munukka, E., Ahtiainen, J. P., and Puigbo, P. (2018). Six-Week Endurance Exercise Alters Gut Metagenome That Is not Reflected in Systemic Metabolism in Over-weight Women. Frontiers in Microbiology, https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2018.02323.
• Medical News Today - How endurance exercise affects your gut bacteria (2018). https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323351.php, October 23, 2018.