GUT MICROBIOTA COMPOSITION DURING LONG-TERM TAEKWONDO TRAINING IN CHILDREN

Abstract

Aim. This paper aims to investigate the qualitative and quantitative composition of the gut microbiota in primary school–aged children with varying levels of physical activity. Materials and methods. Three groups of apparently healthy children (n = 12 per group; balanced by sex and age, 8–10 years) without symptoms of acute illness were studied. Group 1 consisted of children with no additional physical activity; Group 2 comprised children who attended taekwondo classes for three to six months; Group 3 included children with taekwondo practice for more than two years. Fecal samples were collected in the morning and transported to the laboratory for total genomic DNA isolation. All DNA samples were subsequently shipped frozen to the Genomed laboratory for sequencing. Results. Across all phyla, a distinctive trend was observed in Group 3 relative to Groups 1 and 2 (Group 1 and Group 2: approximately 80 % Firmicutes, 0.6 % Actinobacteria, and 14 % Bacteroidetes). In Group 3, Firmicutes increased to 83 %, while Actinobacteria decreased to 0.2 % and Bacteroidetes to 10 %. Faecalibacterium remained the dominant genus in all groups, though its relative abundance gradually declined with systematic physical activity. In Group 2, the relative abundance of Eubacterium and Gemmiger rose to 6 %, with a concomitant ~2.5 % reduction in Bacteroides. In Group 3, the dominant genera shifted qualitatively; in addition to Eubacterium and Gemmiger, Roseburia and Akkermansia emerged. Conclusion: Enhanced physical activity modulates the qua­litative and quantitative structure of the gut microbiota in primary school–aged children. Prolonged, regular taekwondo training induces adaptive microbial changes characterized by a decreased proportion of Faecalibacterium and Bacteroides and an increased proportion of Eubacterium, Gemmiger, Roseburia, and Akkermansia. These alterations may reflect a positive microbiota adaptation associated with improved metabolic health and maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity under regular, intensive physical activity.