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  • Footballomics: Metabolomics in Soccer: Prevention, Recovery, and Performance

    Footballomics: Metabolomics in Soccer: Prevention, Recovery, and Performance

    Metabolomics and Sport: A Biological Passport for Athletes

    There metabolomics It is an innovative science that studies the metabolites – small molecules produced by the body – to monitor health and physiological reactions in real time. Applied to sports, it is called sportomics, while its declination in the world of football is called footballomics. Urine analysis of athletes, thanks to its practicality and reliability, is proving to be a powerful tool for assess physical condition, monitor recovery from fatigue And prevent injuries. Several top-level teams such as FC Barcelona And real Madrid They are already integrating these technologies to personalize footballers’ training and diet.

    Key Metabolites and their Impact on Performance

    Studies conducted on adolescent and adult soccer players have identified a set of urinary metabolites useful for understanding the physiological changes related to physical activity. These include the trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), linked to cardiac function, and thehypoxanthine, an indicator of muscle adaptation. Other compounds such as alanine, lactate, citrate And acid guanidine acetic acid help measure fatigue and suggest ideal recovery times. Sudden changes in the concentration of these metabolites may indicate muscle pain or risk of injury. Some studies have also observed metabolic differences between men and women, highlighting the role of the menstrual cycle in increasing susceptibility to injury.

    Towards personalized athletic training

    The aim of footballomics is to prevent injuries not related to trauma and to build a customized athletic training, monitoring metabolites through weekly analyses, before and after matches. This approach allows us to evaluate theeffectiveness of supplements, the influence of the diet, and the state of training adaptation. The integration in particular with data taken from the GPS and from subjective perception of effort offers a predictive model to improve the resistence, prevent injuries And optimize performance. Looking ahead, the combination of metabolomics, microbiomics And big data It could revolutionize athlete management, making it increasingly precise, effective, and sustainable.

    For further information: Fanos V. Footballomics: urinary metabolomics in adolescents and athletes playing football (soccer) – Review of the literature and practical approach. J Pediatr Neonat Individual Med. 2025;14(1):e140109. doi:10.7363/140109.

    Photo by Janosch Diggelmann on Unsplash

  • Probiotics in Parkinson’s disease

    Probiotics in Parkinson’s disease

    A link between the brain and the gut

    In recent years, research on Parkinson’s disease have shown an increasing interest in involving theintestine and of the intestinal microbiota. A very recent study highlights how alterations in the composition of the microbiota can contribute to inflammation and neuronal damage, through thegut–brain axis. In particular, changes in gut bacteria influence the production of metabolites, which can cross the intestinal barrier and reach the brain, triggering an immune response.

    Inflammation and neurodegeneration

    One of the central aspects of Parkinson’s disease is the neuroinflammation, that is, a chronic immune response in the brain. The study shows that some microbial metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), can have both protective and harmful effects. If produced in an altered way, they can activate immune cells such as microglia, contributing to the death of dopaminergic neurons in the black substance, one of the areas most affected by the disease. This persistent inflammation is a key factor in the worsening of motor and cognitive symptoms.

    New therapeutic perspectives

    The results suggest that intervening on the intestinal microbiota could open new avenues for the prevention or treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Strategies such as the use of probiotics, prebiotics or a personalized diet could help restore a favorable microbial balance, thus reducing inflammation and disease progression. Understanding the interaction between the gut and the brain therefore offers an innovative approach, complementary to traditional therapies, and highlights the importance of intestinal health in neurological well-being.

    For further information: Gao A, Lv J, Su Y. The Inflammatory Mechanism of Parkinsons Disease: Gut Microbiota Metabolites Affect the Development of the Disease Through the Gut-Brain Axis. Brain Sci. 2025 Feb 6;15(2):159. doi: 10.3390/brainsci15020159.