Involvement of gut microbiome-derived monoamines in the induction mechanism of voluntary physical activity behavior

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K11612
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 59030:Physical education, and physical and health education-related
• Research Institution: Ritsumeikan University (2020-2021); National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (2019)
• Principal Investigator: Murakami Haruka 立命館大学, スポーツ健康科学部, 教授 (20344880)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 腸内細菌 / モノアミン / ドーパミン / 運動意欲 / 身体活動

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to clarify the pathway of gut microbiome - blood monoamine - exercise motivation and behavior. One hundred eleven adults participated in this study. We evaluated the motivation to exercise using a questionnaire and the level of daily physical activity using an accelerometer. The composition of the gut microbiome and the blood dopamine concentration were also analyzed. Several gut bacteria, such as Bacteroides and Slackia, have been shown to be significantly associated with exercise motivation and daily physical activity level. Bacillus, which produces dopamine, significantly showed a positive correlation with exercise motivation, but no significant correlation with blood dopamine concentration. Although some gut microbiome have been associated with exercise motivation, further research for dopamine-mediated pathways is needed.

Free Research Field

行動生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

適切な身体活動量や運動の実施は、生活習慣病や認知症等の発症リスクを低下させることが報告されおり、一般的にも身体活動や運動の重要性は広く知られている。しかしながら、我々の身体活動は年々減少しており、その重要性は認知しているものの、それを“行動”として起こすことの困難さを示している。本研究のような運動の意欲や行動の誘発の基礎にある生体内メカニズムが明らかになることで、そのメカニズムに即したアプローチ方法への構築へとつながり、国民の身体活動増大や運動習慣の形成につながるものと考えられる。