Being physically fit could have a positive impact on the diversity of gut microbiome, according to a case-controlled study reported in the journal Gut.

Recent research has explored the impact of gut microbiota on the prominence of obesity and levels of metabolism and now researchers have started to explore the impact of physical activity on microbiomes in the gut.

As part of their study, researchers at Ireland's University of College Cork observed 40 professional athletes from an international rugby squad in pre-season preparation and then compared them to a controlled group of healthy male participants from in and around the Cork area.

The study revealed that the sportsmen had lower inflammation levels and better metabolisms than the healthy males.

Other findings revealed that the professional athletes had a greater diversity of gut microbiota, with the rugby players hosting 22 phyla, 68 families and 113 genera. This came in stark contrast to the controlled participants, who had 11 phyla, 33 families and 65 genera.

Results also showed that the athletes had a greater intake of protein, with these dietary differences contributing to a greater diversity of gut microbiome.

However, given the factor of increased protein intake, the research does also highlight that dietary extremes do have an impact on diversity, as well as levels of exercise, leading the researchers to recommend further studies to separate out the impact of both factors.

“The results provide evidence for a beneficial impact of exercise on gut microbiota diversity but also indicate that the relationship is complex and is related to accompanying dietary extremes,” reads part of the report’s conclusion.

The impact of the gut microbiome on obesity – and related conditions such as heart disease and diabetes – has been the subject of much debate, with a report released last autumn finding that bacteria in the human gut could play a vital role in determining who is obese and who is lean, leading to the possibility of creating new treatments to fight obesity.