RT journal article
T1 Systematic Review on the Importance of Gut Microbiota in the Regulation of Type 2 Diabetes Through Physical Activity and Exercise
A1 Muguerza-Rodríguez, Luis
A1 Mier, Alba
A1 Ponce González, Jesús Gustavo
A1 Casals Vázquez, Cristina
A1 Corral Pérez, Juan
A2 Didáctica de la Educación FísicaPlástica y Musical
K1 obesity
K1 intestinal dysbiosis
K1 metabolic diseases
K1 insulin resistance
AB Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a major global health issue, influenced by sedentary behavior and obesity. Emerging evidence implicates the gut microbiota in T2D pathophysiology through effects on glucose metabolism, inflammation, and insulin sensitivity. This systematic review included eleven studies, six observational and five interventional, examining the relationship between physical activity, exercise, and gut microbiota in individuals with or at risk of T2D. Observational studies associated low physical activity and high sedentary time with reduced α-diversity and increased abundance of potentially harmful bacteria. Interventional studies showed that structured exercise, including moderate-intensity and sprint interval training, increased beneficial bacteria such as Faecalibacterium, Veillonella, Lachnospira, and Bifidobacterium, linked to anti-inflammatory effects and improved metabolic profiles. However, overall microbial diversity often remained unchanged unless combined with dietary modifications. Exercise also reduced levels of trimethylamine N-oxide, a metabolite linked to cardiovascular risk. Despite increases in butyrate-producing taxa, most studies did not report significant short-term changes in short-chain fatty acid levels, highlighting the complex interaction between microbiota and host metabolism. These findings support physical activity and exercise as modifiable factors that can influence gut microbiota composition, potentially contributing to improved metabolic regulation and better management of T2D.
PB MDPI
SN 1467-3045, 1467-3037
YR 2025
FD 2025
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10498/36885
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10498/36885
LA eng
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Cádiz
RD 11-nov-2026