NIN study finds regular exercise improves metabolism, bone health and gut microbiome

A National Institute of Nutrition study has found that regular physical activity improves metabolic health, bone health and the gut microbiome. The research also highlights distinct physiological adaptations in endurance and strength athletes, supporting personalised nutrition and sport-specific training strategies

Hyderabad: Regular, sustained physical activity influences multiple physiological systems including body composition, metabolic health, bone health, and the gut microbiome, providing further evidence of the far-reaching health benefits of regular exercise, a new study by Hyderabad-based National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) said.

The study published in the international journal Frontiers in Nutrition, found that endurance athletes were significantly leaner, exhibited greater fat oxidation at rest, and demonstrated blood characteristics associated with improved oxygen transport, adaptations that support sustained aerobic performance.

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“In contrast, strength athletes possessed higher skeletal muscle mass, greater bone mineral density, and elevated resting metabolic rates, reflecting the physiological demands of resistance-based training and power sports,” said Dr K Venkatesh, Scientist E, who led the study.

The study titled “Training modality-specific differences in body composition, resting metabolic rate, diet, and gut microbial signatures in elite endurance and strength athletes,” also identified distinct gut microbial signatures among athletes.

Compared with sedentary participants, elite athletes harboured higher abundances of bacteria associated with protein and lipid metabolism, while sedentary individuals showed relatively higher levels of Lactobacillus.

Differences were also observed between endurance and strength athletes, suggesting that long-term training and dietary habits may shape the gut microbiome in a sport-specific manner.

“The study reinforces the importance of personalized nutrition and training strategies tailored to the physiological demands of different sports. Understanding these adaptations could help optimize athletic performance, improve recovery, reduce injury,” Director, NIN, Dr Bharati Kulkarni said.