Next It's Bacteria Instead Of Dope For Athletes

A paper presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society raises the possibility that successful athletes have a different microbiome or bacterial population in their digestive system than some of their lesser competitors. Researchers have found unique bacteria present in the guts of runners and rowers that seem to assist in recovery from exercise and even aid in converting food into energy.  A company is being formed to develop biotic products that can alter an individual athlete's microbiome to increase positive results.

In view of the obsession with drugs and blood doping in sports perhaps we'll soon see that not only will the blood and urine of cyclists, weight lifters, football players and other athletes be analyzed but their feces as well. Professional cyclists now have a "biological passport" that contains a profile of the level of testosterone in their blood and other things. It's seems likely that if microbiome modification is not approved the discovery of unauthorized bacteria in a rider's gut might also be grounds for disqualification and banning from the sport. Indeed, why shouldn't it be?



Super cyclist Eddy Merckx. Could a transplant of the bacteria in his digestive tract make you a better rider? You might soon be able to find out.