Several athletes have been incorporating probiotics for its many benefits in boosting their workout routines. Kent State University faculty and students are also now looking at how probiotics can help combat heat-caused complications during exercise, such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion. To help with this area of research, the university’s Exercise Science/Physiology Program was awarded a $248,000 grant by i-Health Inc. The grant will be used to conduct a study relating to the use of probiotics and physical exercise.
Under the direction of Ellen Glickman, Ph.D., and Adam Jajtner, Ph.D., exercise science/physiology faculty members in Kent State’s College of Education, Health and Human Services, undergraduate and graduate students in the program will examine whether supplementation with a probiotic-containing beverage is protective during exercise in a hot environment through a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
“Primary outcomes include multiple indices of physical performance during heat stress and recovery, including endurance, power and strength,” Dr. Glickman says. “Secondary outcomes include psychological status and cognitive function during these same periods. A subset of individuals will provide biological samples to clarify possible mechanisms, including inflammatory markers.”
The i-Health grant will help to cover lab use, sampling, measurement and disposal of items related to this experiment. Founded in 2011, i-Health is a consumer-packaged goods company that focuses on helping people enhance their personal wellness.
For more information about Kent State’s Exercise Science/Physiology Program, visit www.kent.edu/ehhs/exph.