Effects of Probiotics on Gut Microbiota, Endocannabinoid and Immune Activation and Symptoms of Fatigue in Dancers

The aim of the planned research is to assess the dynamics of changes in the elements of the gut-brain axis (GBA), the cytokine profile and the endocannabinoid system markers, after dietary supplementation with probiotics Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52 and Bifidobacterium longum Rosell-175 by professional dancers. Although in recent years there has been growing interest in the influence of the gut microbiota on the body's adaptation to stress stimuli and on overall health, there is a lack of information on the influence of probiotics on systems involved in maintaining neuropsychiatric balance, such as the endocannabinoid system. In order to determine the validity of the applied therapy with selective probiotics, the following will be assessed: intestinal bacteria and bacterial metabolites in the stool, cannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors and enzymes in the blood, indicators of mental distress in the blood, cytokines responsible for the modulation of the gut-brain axis in the blood, as well as questionnaires regarding the functioning of the digestive tract, fatigue, stress and sleep quality. The study will involve active dancers of the Polish Theater in Poznan, the Polish Dance Theater, the Private School of Dance Art in Poznan and students of the Academy of Physical Education in the field of Dance. Dancers are a group of athletes that is exposed to particular injuries and work-overload. Professional dancers spend multiple hours a week on intensive physical training. The largest percentage of injuries occurring in the group of professional dancers are chronic injuries, including: inflammation of soft tissues, muscle strains and tears. Professional dance is one of the most physically demanding forms of physical activity, and at the same time it is associated with a high burden on the nervous system problems caused by performances in front of an audience or subjective jury, frequent traveling and disturbances in the circadian rhythm.