Effect of Probiotic Supplementation on Oxidative Stress Enzymes and Mental Health of Athletes

  Extreme of professional exercise intensively increase the production of free radicals, damage to body tissues, and production of stress hormones and reduces the immune activity. The use of probiotic supplements has attracted sports community attention to promoting the health and performance of athletes. In this study, the effect of probiotic supplementation was investigated on psychological conditions and the level of oxidative stress enzymes in athlete soldiers. This double-blind controlled trial was conducted on 40 swimmers that were randomly divided into two groups: A test group (n = 20 receiving one glass of probiotic juice daily for 12 weeks) and a control group (n = 20 receiving placebo juice for 12 weeks). The probiotic juice contained a probiotic strain of Bacillus coagulans at 1 × 109 CFU. The mental health status was evaluated by scoring on the POMS and the concentration of antioxidant enzymes and the total antioxidant capacity in blood samples were determined using the kits at the beginning and the end of the three-month post-test every 15 days. After 12 weeks of intervention, a significant increase was observed in the antioxidants levels in the test group compared to the control group: SOD (43.10 ± 0.1000 vs. 28.25 ± 0.2500 u/mL; P < 0.0001), GPX (289.5 ± 1.500± vs. 160.0 ± 1.000 u/mL; P < 0.0001), total oxidative stress capacity (1.975 ± 0.005000 vs. 1.365 ± 0.005000 u/mL; P < 0.0001). In addition, psychological parameters were more favorable in the probiotic group than in the placebo group. Based on the results, the probiotic juice consumption has beneficial effects on the body's antioxidant system and mental health parameters in athlete soldiers.