Athletic performance and recovery involve complex physiological processes that can be significantly impacted by gut microbiota. Clinical studies have shown that intense exercise can alter intestinal permeability and inflammatory markers, while specific probiotic strains demonstrate measurable effects on muscle protein synthesis, oxidative stress levels, and recovery timeframes.

The challenge lies in identifying and validating specific bacterial strains that can consistently improve athletic performance metrics while maintaining stability and viability in supplement formulations.

This page brings together solutions from recent research—including Bacillus subtilis for inflammation reduction, Lactobacillus fermentum for muscle growth optimization, Veillonella strains for endurance enhancement, and targeted probiotic combinations for oxidative stress management. These and other approaches focus on practical supplementation protocols that can be integrated into athletic training programs.

1. Composite Probiotic Formulation with Pediococcus acidilactici PA53 and Bifidobacterium longum BL21

Wecom Probiotics Co., Ltd., WECARE PROBIOTICS CO LTD, Wecom Probiotics (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., 2024

Composite probiotic formulation to relieve sports fatigue. The probiotic contains two strains, Pediococcus acidilactici PA53 and Bifidobacterium longum BL21. Compounding these strains improves protein digestibility, reduces oxidative stress, and alleviates fatigue compared to using either strain alone. The composite probiotic can be used in foods, supplements, or medicines to prevent or relieve sports fatigue. It also has potential for improving protein digestion and absorption.

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2. Probiotic Composition Comprising Lactobacillus rhamnosus GKLC1, Bifidobacterium lactis GKK24, and Clostridium butyricum GKB7

GRAPE KING BIO LTD, 2024

A probiotic composition and its use to improve exercise performance in individuals with congenital low aerobic fitness. The composition contains three strains: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GKLC1, Bifidobacterium lactis GKK24, and Clostridium butyricum GKB7. Administering this probiotic blend to people with innately low aerobic abilities for at least 28 days reduces lactate and urea after exercise, lowers visceral fat, and improves liver and muscle glycogen levels.

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3. Lactobacillus plantarum LP550 Strain and Postbiotics with Vitamin D Metabolizing Capability

Sichuan Gaofuji Biotechnology Co., Ltd., SICHUAN GAOFUJI BIOTECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2024

Lactobacillus plantarum strain LP550 and its postbiotics for improving musculoskeletal health and athletic performance. The strain metabolizes vitamin D and has benefits like increased growth, acid production, and antibacterial activity. Administering the strain or postbiotics to rats with osteoporosis improved bone density, muscle strength, endurance, and butyric acid levels in the gut. The postbiotics contain LP550 cells, metabolites, and vitamin D.

4. Bacillus subtilis Probiotic Administration Protocol for Modulating TNF-α Levels in Athletes

Deerland Enzymes, Inc., 2023

Using Bacillus subtilis probiotics to improve athletic performance and recovery by reducing inflammation and catabolism. The method involves administering Bacillus subtilis probiotics to athletes, which lowers circulating TNF-α levels. The probiotics are given daily for 10-12 weeks in conjunction with resistance training.

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5. Lactobacillus fermentum TCI757 Strain with Myostatin Inhibition and Irisin Promotion Properties

TCI CO., LTD., 2023

Using Lactobacillus fermentum TCI757 to gain muscle and reduce fat. The strain promotes muscle growth and inhibits fat accumulation by inhibiting myostatin, promoting irisin secretion, and inhibiting fat storage. Administering the strain or its metabolites can increase muscle mass, reduce body fat, and improve grip strength.

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6. Probiotic Composition with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CQPC02, Lactobacillus helveticus LH08B, and Bacillus coagulans BC01

Shanen Kang Biotechnology Co., Ltd., THANKCOME BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, Shanen Kang Biotechnology (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., 2023

Compound probiotic formula for reducing fatigue and improving athletic performance. The probiotic blend contains three strains: Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus helveticus, and Bacillus coagulans. The specific strains used are Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CQPC02, Lactobacillus helveticus LH08B, and Bacillus coagulans BC01. This combination of strains provides synergistic benefits for reducing fatigue and improving athletic ability compared to using the strains individually.

7. Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum BL11 Strain with Enhanced Acid and Bile Tolerance and Carbohydrate Metabolism Capabilities

WEIKANG PROBIOTICS CO LTD, WEIKANG PROBIOTICS SUZHOU CO LTD, 2023

Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum BL11 strain, a type of beneficial bacteria that can improve exercise capacity. The strain is isolated from feces and has properties like strong acid, bile salt, and gastric tolerance, as well as immune modulation and carbohydrate metabolism enhancement. Administering BL11 improves athletic performance by increasing strength and endurance, reducing post-exercise fatigue, and stabilizing blood sugar.

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8. Enterococcus faecalis Composition for Modulating Muscle Cell Protein Expression

KOREA BERM CO., LTD., 2023

Using Enterococcus faecalis bacteria to treat and prevent muscle weakness, atrophy and loss. Enterococcus faecalis helps restore muscle cells damaged by oxidative stress, and prevents muscle atrophy by increasing expression of proteins involved in muscle growth and repair. The bacteria are provided in killed or live form as a pharmaceutical, food composition or food additive.

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9. Probiotic Compositions Comprising Specific Bacterial Species

President and Fellows of Harvard College, 2023

Probiotic compositions containing specific bacterial species to improve athletic performance and recovery. The probiotic formulation includes bacterial species like Veillonella, Faecalibacterium, Oscillospira, Bacteroides, Ruminococcus, Blautia, Christensenellaceae, Dialister, Phascolarctobacterium, and cyanobacteria. Administering these bacteria before or after physical activity can boost training endurance, increase energy metabolism, reduce inflammation and lactate levels, improve recovery, and promote weight loss or fitness.

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10. Probiotic Composition with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium Strains and Nutrient Excipients

Jiangsu Xinshen'ao Biotechnology Co., Ltd., JIANGSU NEW-BIO TECH CO LTD, 2023

Probiotic composition to alleviate adverse reactions caused by excessive exercise. The composition contains a specific blend of lactobacillus and bifidobacterium strains, along with excipients like whey protein, resistant dextrin, fructooligosaccharides, erythritol, lactitol, and glucosyl stevia. The probiotic strains are lactobacillus plantarum, lactobacillus rhamnosus, lactobacillus acidophilus, lactobacillus fermentum, lactobacillus reuteri, bifidobacterium lactis, and bifidobacillus breve. The composition aims to mitigate weight loss and other adverse effects from intense exercise by promoting intestinal health.

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11. Microbial Compositions Containing Athlete-Derived Lactobacillus Strains with Distinct Genetic Profiles

FITBIOMICS INC., 2023

Microbial compositions comprising Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Lactobacillus acidophilus strains isolated from athletes and having specific genetic characteristics. These compositions are used to improve athletic performance, endurance, and recovery.

12. Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum PS128 Strain for Modulating Exercise-Induced Physiological Responses

BENED BIOMEDICAL CO., LTD., 2023

Using a specific strain of bacteria called Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum PS128 to enhance physical performance and recovery from exercise.

13. Microbial Compositions Containing Veillonella Strains Isolated from Athletes

FITBIOMICS INC., 2022

Microbial compositions to improve athletic performance. The compositions contain specific strains of Veillonella bacteria isolated from athletes. The bacteria strains are hypothesized to help improve endurance, reduce inflammation, and enhance athletic training, performance and recovery. The compositions may be in the form of dietary supplements, foods, beverages, or drugs.

14. Lactic Acid Bacteria Composition Comprising Specific Lactobacillus Strains

GLAC BIOTECH CO., LTD, 2022

Lactic acid bacteria composition for reducing fat and promoting exercise performance. The composition includes specific strains of Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Lactobacillus casei. These strains are isolated and mixed together in a composition.

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15. Gel Composition with Free Branched-Chain Amino Acids, Protein, and Probiotics

OTSUKA PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD., 2022

Gel-like food composition for nutritional supplement that contains free branched-chain amino acids, protein, and probiotics to provide a gel-like food composition that solves the problems of bitterness, browning, poor dispersibility, and storage stability with excellent recovery from exhaustion, inhibition of muscle protein degradation caused by physical activity, inhibition of immune compromise, pneumonia prevention effect, and muscle maintenance. The branched-chain amino acids and probiotics like Bifidobacterium are mixed with protein like whey to provide a balanced nutritional gel that can improve physical condition.

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16. Compositions Containing Veillonella Strains for Lactic Acid Metabolism and Short-Chain Fatty Acid Production

FITBIOMICS INC, 2022

Compositions containing specific strains of gut bacteria, Veillonella dispar, Veillonella parvula, and Veillonella atypica, that can improve athletic performance, endurance, recovery, and reduce inflammation in athletes. The compositions can be administered as dietary supplements to alter the gut microbiome and enhance athletic training and recovery. The bacteria strains metabolize lactic acid during exercise to produce propionic acid, acetic acid, and acetates. This aids in recovery by reducing lactate levels. The strains also convert lactate to SCFAs, which can improve exercise resistance. Administering these bacteria strains can enhance athletic performance, reduce inflammation, and improve recovery from exercise.

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17. Composition Comprising Lactobacillus reuteri ATG-F4 Strain

ATOGEN CO., LTD., 2022

Composition containing a Lactobacillus reuteri strain that can prevent or treat muscle disorders like sarcopenia. The composition includes a specific Lactobacillus reuteri ATG-F4 strain that has shown to increase muscle mass and improve muscle recovery and motor abilities in mice models.

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18. Inactivated Bacillus coagulans Composition Containing Non-viable Spores

Ganeden Biotech, Inc., 2022

Inactivated, non-viable Bacillus coagulans bacteria, such as spores, for increasing physical performance, such as reducing muscle soreness and improving recovery. The inactivated bacteria can be administered to subjects like athletes to enhance physical abilities without concerns about live bacteria. This allows the beneficial effects of Bacillus coagulans growth factors without the potential risks from live bacteria.

19. Sports Nutrition Composition with Bacillus coagulans Spores Integrated into Protein-Rich Matrix

Ganeden Biotech, Inc., 2022

Sports nutrition compositions containing Bacillus coagulans bacteria to improve protein absorption, enhance lean muscle development, and increase lean body mass. The compositions contain isolated Bacillus coagulans spores mixed with protein-rich sports nutrition products like protein powders. The Bacillus coagulans bacteria are probiotics that survive the stomach and small intestine to reach the gut where they stimulate metabolism and absorption of the protein.

20. Probiotic Composition with Bifidobacterium breve and Streptococcus thermophilus Modulating Th1/Th2 Immune Response

PROBIOTICAL S.P.A., 2021

A probiotic composition containing Bifidobacterium breve and Streptococcus thermophilus strains for reducing muscle damage and inflammation after exercise, thereby attenuating the decline in sports performance. The composition shifts the Th1/Th2 immune balance, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines and increasing anti-inflammatory ones.

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21. Isolated Lactic Acid Bacteria Strains with Specific 16S rRNA Sequences

22. Lactococcus Bacteria Culture for Gut Microbiome Supplementation

23. Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum OLP-01 Strain Isolated from Human Gut

24. Probiotic Composition Containing Lactobacillus plantarum Strain TWK10 (CGMCC 13008)

25. Compositions Containing Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum OLP-01

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