Lactobacillus salivarius UCC118 and Improved Exercise Performance

Research synthesisVery low evidenceModerate effect3 studies · 3 beneficial · 0 neutral · 0 harmful

Across 3 papers (2 reviews, 1 animal study), all 3 reported beneficial effects, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate. One statistically significant finding came from a 4-week animal study showing improved muscle strength and endurance. Human data are absent, and no consistent dose, form, or population has been established.

Caveats: Evidence base is small (only 3 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. All beneficial findings come from either reviews or a single animal study; no human trials are represented. Available evidence is overwhelmingly positive — clinical literature in this area is subject to publication bias (null-result studies are less likely to be published or indexed).

Generated Jun 11, 2026

3 of 3 papersPopulation:

Gut Microbiota and Exercise: Probiotics to Modify the Composition and Roles of the Gut Microbiota in the Context of 3P Medicine.
- 2025-05-03
- Review
- Microbial ecology 88(1)
- - Yongfu Liu
  - Yuting Hu
  - Baolei Ma
  - Zijun Wang
  - Bowen Wei
- PubMed: 40319213
- DOI: 10.1007/s00248-025-02529-w
2 Insights on
- Improved Exercise Performance
- Low evidence
Emerging evidence highlights the pivotal role of the gut microbiome in mediating communication along the gut-brain and gut-muscle axes, thereby influencing not only metabolic and immune functions but also neuromuscular adaptation and fatigue resistance. This review explores the mechanisms through which probiotics may enhance exercise performance, mitigate exercise-induced fatigue, and improve physiological adaptation
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
An Updated View of the Effect of Probiotic Supplement on Sports Performance: A Detailed Review.
- 2024-03-12
- Review
- Current nutrition reports 13(2)
- - Miray Nur Aykut
  - Esma Nur Erdoğan
  - Menşure Nur Çelik
  - Murat Gürbüz
- PubMed: 38470560
- DOI: 10.1007/s13668-024-00527-x
4 Insights on
- Improved Exercise Performance
- Low evidence
Probiotic supplementation may improve sports performance by reducing the adverse effects of prolonged high-intensity exercise.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Lactobacillus salivarius Subspecies salicinius SA-03 is a New Probiotic Capable of Enhancing Exercise Performance and Decreasing Fatigue
- 2020-04-09
- Microorganisms 8(4)
- - Mon-Chien Lee
  - Y. Hsu
  - H. Ho
  - Shih‐Hung Hsieh
  - Y. Kuo
  - Hsin‐Ching Sung
  - Chi-Chang Huang
- PubMed: 32283729
- DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8040545
13 Insights on
- Improved Exercise Performance
- Low evidence
- Rigorous Journal
- Clinical
Results showed that 4 weeks of SA-03 supplementation significantly improved muscle strength and endurance performance.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Significant
Yes

Lactobacillus salivarius UCC118 and Improved Exercise Performance

Gut Microbiota and Exercise: Probiotics to Modify the Composition and Roles of the Gut Microbiota in the Context of 3P Medicine.

An Updated View of the Effect of Probiotic Supplement on Sports Performance: A Detailed Review.

Lactobacillus salivarius Subspecies salicinius SA-03 is a New Probiotic Capable of Enhancing Exercise Performance and Decreasing Fatigue