Synbiotic Supplementation with Probiotics and Omega-3 Fatty Acids Enhances Upper-Body Muscle Strength in Elite Swimmers: Evidence for Gut-Muscle Axis Modulation During Race-Pace Training.

Background

The gut-muscle axis is believed to influence training adaptations through microbiota-derived signals and the regulation of inflammation, but evidence in elite swimmers is limited and mixed. This study aims to determine whether synbiotic supplementation (probiotics + omega-3) combined with ultra-short race-pace training (USRPT) improves sprint-related upper-body strength.

Methods

In a randomized, double-blind, 8-week trial of male elite sprint freestyle swimmers, participants completed USRPT and were allocated to either synbiotic supplementation or its single-component arms (probiotic or omega-3) or placebo. Primary outcomes indexed dynamic/explosive strength (isokinetic shoulder torque and power at 180°/s, rate of force development, time-to-peak torque); secondary outcomes included maximal strength (MVIC; 60°/s) and field/strength-endurance tests (dead-hang, handgrip, medicine-ball throw). Analyses reported p-values with effect sizes.

Results

The synbiotic group showed greater improvements in high-velocity, sprint-relevant measures versus comparators-higher 180°/s torque and power, increased rate of force development, and shorter time-to-peak torque (Time × Group p < 0.05 across domains; effects in the medium-large range). Changes in handgrip and medicine-ball throw were small and not different between groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Synbiotic supplementation concurrent with USRPT preferentially enhances dynamic (explosive) upper-body strength in elite sprint swimmers, whereas non-stroke-embedded field tests show limited added value. Any reference to gut-muscle-axis modulation is hypothesis-generating, as stool sequencing and metabolite profiling were not performed. Larger, sex-inclusive trials incorporating in-water, stroke-embedded assessments and microbiome/metabolomic profiling are warranted.