High-altitude mountaineering induces adaptive gut microbiome shifts associated with dietary intake and performance markers.

ABSTRACT: This study examined how high-altitude exposure and expedition-specific dietary changes influence gut microbiome composition, functional pathways, and their relationships with performance and health markers in alpinists. Seventeen male mountaineers (age 30.29 ± 5.8 years) participating in multi-week expeditions (> 3,000 MASL) were assessed before and after their climbs. Assessments included dietary intake analysis, blood and urine biomarkers, aerobic and anaerobic performance tests, and metagenomic sequencing of the gut microbiome. Bioinformatic and statistical analyses evaluated changes in microbiome composition and function and their correlations with physiological and dietary parameters. High-altitude exposure was associated with significant shifts in gut microbial composition and functi

SUBMITTER: Karpecka-Galka E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12559227 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature