The Gut Microbiome as a Missing Link in Relative Energy
Deficiency in Sport (REDs): A Conceptual Framework

k 2025

The Gut Microbiome as a Missing Link in Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs): A Conceptual Framework

WAGNER, Adam; Johanna IHALAINEN a Michal KUMSTÁT

Základní údaje

Originální název

The Gut Microbiome as a Missing Link in Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs): A Conceptual Framework

Autoři

WAGNER, Adam ; Johanna IHALAINEN a Michal KUMSTÁT

Vydání

In 14th International Conference on Kinanthropology, Sport and Quality of Life. 2025, 2025

Další údaje

Jazyk

angličtina

Typ výsledku

Prezentace na konferencích

Obor

30306 Sport and fitness sciences

Utajení

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

Odkazy

URL

Označené pro přenos do RIV

Ano

Kód RIV

RIV/00216224:14510/25:00142906

Organizační jednotka

Fakulta sportovních studií

ISBN

978-80-280-0814-7

Klíčová slova anglicky

Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport; Low Energy Availability; Athlete Health; Sports Nutrition; Gut Microbiota

Štítky

rivok

Příznaky

Mezinárodní význam

Změněno: 18. 3. 2026 14:55, Mgr. Pavlína Roučová, DiS.

Anotace

V originále

Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) is a multifactorial condition driven by chronic low energy availability (LEA) and characterised by metabolic, endocrine, and physiological impairments that negatively affect athlete health and performance. Although these systemic consequences are well described, the potential role of the gut microbiota as a mechanistic component within the REDs framework remains insufficiently explored. The gut microbiota, a complex microbial ecosystem regulating nutrient absorption, energy metabolism, immune function, hormonal balance, and inflammation, influences many processes disrupted in REDs. This suggests that gut dysbiosis may not only accompany REDs but may also intensify its clinical manifestations. Current evidence indicates that chronic energy restriction, high training volumes, and suboptimal dietary patterns can alter gut microbial composition and function. Observed changes include reduced microbial diversity, lower short-chain fatty acid production, increased intestinal permeability, and a shift towards pro-inflammatory taxa. These alterations may contribute to systemic inflammation, reduced metabolic flexibility, disturbances in appetite regulation, and endocrine dysfunction, aligning with established REDs mechanisms. Findings from eating disorder research provide additional support. Individuals exhibiting restrictive eating behaviours show consistent patterns of dysbiosis, diminished SCFA production, disrupted satiety signalling, and alterations in the gut–brain axis. While athletes represent a distinct physiological population, these observations highlight plausible pathways through which LEA may influence both physical and psychological dimensions of REDs via microbiota-mediated mechanisms. Moderate physical activity and adequate energy intake generally promote microbial diversity and functional stability. In contrast, chronic high-volume training without sufficient dietary support may compromise intestinal barrier function, recovery capacity, and immune resilience. In athletes, these disturbances can manifest as gastrointestinal symptoms, impaired nutrient absorption, reduced training adaptation, and increased susceptibility to illness. The gut–brain axis further provides a 3031potential link between microbiota alterations and psychological symptoms commonly associated with REDs, including fatigue, low mood, and heightened stress reactivity. This presentation introduces an integrative theoretical framework connecting LEA-induced microbial alterations with REDs-related health and performance outcomes. By synthesising insights from exercise physiology, endocrinology, nutrition science, and microbiome research, the model outlines how dysbiosis may function as both a marker and mediator of physiological stress and energy deficiency. Potential applications may involve investigating whether gut microbiota profiling can provide additional insight into physiological stress associated with low energy availability, and evaluating nutritional strategies that may support microbial stability, including optimised dietary fibre intake, microbiota-accessible carbohydrates, or targeted probiotic and prebiotic interventions. While these approaches require further validation, they may represent promising avenues for expanding current frameworks of athlete health assessment

Návaznosti

MUNI/A/1475/2024, interní kód MU

Název: Doktorský výzkum v kinantropologii III

Investor: Masarykova univerzita, Doktorský výzkum v kinantropologii III

Citovat

WAGNER, Adam; Johanna IHALAINEN a Michal KUMSTÁT. The Gut Microbiome as a Missing Link in Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs): A Conceptual Framework. In In 14th International Conference on Kinanthropology, Sport and Quality of Life. 2025. 2025. ISBN 978-80-280-0814-7.

@proceedings{2540577,
   author = {Wagner, Adam and Ihalainen, Johanna and Kumstát, Michal},
   booktitle = {In 14th International Conference on Kinanthropology, Sport and Quality of Life. 2025},
   keywords = {Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport; Low Energy Availability; Athlete Health; Sports Nutrition; Gut Microbiota},
   language = {eng},
   isbn = {978-80-280-0814-7},
   title = {The Gut Microbiome as a Missing Link in Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs): A Conceptual Framework},
   url = {https://munispace.muni.cz/library/catalog/view/2486/7998/5980-1/0#preview},
   year = {2025}
}

TY  - CONF
ID  - 2540577
AU  - Wagner, Adam - Ihalainen, Johanna - Kumstát, Michal
PY  - 2025
TI  - The Gut Microbiome as a Missing Link in Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs): A Conceptual Framework
SN  - 9788028008147
KW  - Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport
KW  - Low Energy Availability
KW  - Athlete Health
KW  - Sports Nutrition
KW  - Gut Microbiota
UR  - https://munispace.muni.cz/library/catalog/view/2486/7998/5980-1/0#preview
N2  - Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) is a multifactorial condition driven by chronic low energy availability (LEA) and characterised by metabolic, endocrine, and physiological impairments that negatively affect athlete health and performance. Although these systemic consequences are well described, the potential role of the gut microbiota as a mechanistic component within the REDs framework remains insufficiently explored. The gut microbiota, a complex microbial ecosystem regulating nutrient absorption, energy metabolism, immune function, hormonal balance, and inflammation, influences many processes disrupted in REDs. This suggests that gut dysbiosis may not only accompany REDs but may also intensify its clinical manifestations. Current evidence indicates that chronic energy restriction, high training volumes, and suboptimal dietary patterns can alter gut microbial composition and function. Observed changes include reduced microbial diversity, lower short-chain fatty acid production, increased intestinal permeability, and a shift towards pro-inflammatory taxa. These alterations may contribute to systemic inflammation, reduced metabolic flexibility, disturbances in appetite regulation, and endocrine dysfunction, aligning with established REDs mechanisms. Findings from eating disorder research provide additional support. Individuals exhibiting restrictive eating behaviours show consistent patterns of dysbiosis, diminished SCFA production, disrupted satiety signalling, and alterations in the gut–brain axis. While athletes represent a distinct physiological population, these observations highlight plausible pathways through which LEA may influence both physical and psychological dimensions of REDs via microbiota-mediated mechanisms. Moderate physical activity and adequate energy intake generally promote microbial diversity and functional stability. In contrast, chronic high-volume training without sufficient dietary support may compromise intestinal barrier function, recovery capacity, and immune resilience. In athletes, these disturbances can manifest as gastrointestinal symptoms, impaired nutrient absorption, reduced training adaptation, and increased susceptibility to illness. The gut–brain axis further provides a 3031potential link between microbiota alterations and psychological symptoms commonly associated with REDs, including fatigue, low mood, and heightened stress reactivity. This presentation introduces an integrative theoretical framework connecting LEA-induced microbial alterations with REDs-related health and performance outcomes. By synthesising insights from exercise physiology, endocrinology, nutrition science, and microbiome research, the model outlines how dysbiosis may function as both a marker and mediator of physiological stress and energy deficiency. Potential applications may involve investigating whether gut microbiota profiling can provide additional insight into physiological stress associated with low energy availability, and evaluating nutritional strategies that may support microbial stability, including optimised dietary fibre intake, microbiota-accessible carbohydrates, or targeted probiotic and prebiotic interventions. While these approaches require further validation, they may represent promising avenues for expanding current frameworks of athlete health assessment
ER  -

WAGNER, Adam; Johanna IHALAINEN a Michal KUMSTÁT. The Gut Microbiome as a Missing Link in Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs): A Conceptual Framework. In \textit{In 14th International Conference on Kinanthropology, Sport and Quality of Life. 2025}. 2025. ISBN~978-80-280-0814-7.

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