Microbiota’s Influence on Rehabilitation and Sports Injury Recovery
in: Microbiota and Clinical Diseases: Translational Insights Across Specialties, NOVA Publications , pp.167-176, 2026
- Publication Type: Book Chapter / Chapter Research Book
- Publication Date: 2026
- Publisher: NOVA Publications
- Page Numbers: pp.167-176
- Keywords: gut–joint axis, joint microbiota, rehabilitation, sports injury
- Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Recent advancements in microbiome research have revolutionized our understanding of musculoskeletal health, particularly in the context of sports injuries and rehabilitation. Once considered sterile, joints are now known to host distinct microbial communities, with emerging evidence linking joint and gut microbiota to inflammation, injury susceptibility, and recovery. Dysbiosis—an imbalance in microbial composition—can exacerbate systemic and local inflammation, thereby influencing joint degeneration and impeding recovery. Conversely, exercise-induced shifts in the gut microbiota can enhance anti-inflammatory pathways and promote musculoskeletal resilience through mechanisms involving short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and myokines. This chapter explores the role of microbiota in joint health, detailing how gut–muscle and gut–joint axes contribute to injury prevention and recovery. It highlights microbiota-targeted interventions such as probiotics, prebiotics, and experimental therapies like fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), emphasizing their potential to modulate inflammation, improve cartilage repair, and enhance rehabilitation outcomes. Understanding these microbial influences opens new frontiers in sports medicine, positioning the microbiome as a novel therapeutic target in the management of sports-related joint injuries.