The effectiveness of probiotics for reducing the incidence and severity of illness in elite team sport athletes

Efficacy of probiotics for reducing the incidence and severity of illness in elite team sport athletes

Status

Completed

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ANZCTR

Registry ID

ACTRN12616000555459

Acronym

Pro-elite

Enrollment

Registered

2016-04-29

Start date

2016-05-28

Completion date

2016-05-29

Last updated

2021-06-28

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

None listed

Brief summary

Of interest to this study is the role specific species and strains of probiotics could play in reducing the incidence and/or severity of respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms infections in elite team sport athletes who travel frequently. The impact of endurance exercise on immune function is well established with a body of research to support that in a significant number of athletes, the physical and mental stress endured by elite athletes can result in an increased susceptibility to gastrointestinal and respiratory infections. Furthermore, a number of trials have investigated the efficacy of supplementing with specific Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria in reducing respiratory infections.

Interventions

A proprietary blend of probiotic bacteria capsules (twice daily with food) and yeast capsules (twice daily with food) or placebo will be given to elite team athletes for 7 months. At the end of the trial all remaining capsules will be returned and counted as a means of measuring compliance. In addition, the head trainer will provide reminders regarding taking the trial medicine to improve compliance The details of the probiotic and yeasts are commercial and in confidence and listed private

Study design

Allocation

Randomised controlled trial

Intervention model

Parallel

Primary purpose

Prevention

Masking

Blinded (masking used) (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

Male

Age

18 Years to 40 Years

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

Elite team athletes that are member of the Australian Rugby Union who travel for intensive competition periods. We do not want to disclose to the public or competitors which ARU team is participating in this trial.

Exclusion criteria

Any player not in good medical health or with any diagnosed medical condition of the immune or gastrointestinal system.

Outcome results