A comparison of oral microbiome composition between highly trained competitive athletes and untrained controls

Annabel Simpson; Bob T. Rosier; Javier Pons Tamarit; Fiona Henriquez; Alex Mira; Chris Easton; Mia Burleigh

doi:10.1038/s41598-025-16835-3

A comparison of oral microbiome composition between highly trained competitive athletes and untrained controls

Annabel Simpson
, Bob T. Rosier
, Javier Pons Tamarit
, Fiona Henriquez
, Alex Mira
, Chris Easton
, Mia Burleigh

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

43 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background
The oral microbiome has a crucial role in nitric oxide (NO) production and contributes to oral and systemic health. This study compared oral microbiome composition and markers of NO production between highly trained competitive athletes and inactive controls.

Materials and Methods
Competitive athletes and untrained controls (N=10 per group) were recruited. Saliva, plasma, supragingival plaque and the tongue dorsum microbiome were sampled. The microbiome was examined using long-read 16S rRNA sequencing and ozone-based chemiluminescence used to measure nitrate (NO3-) and nitrite (NO2-) levels. Weekly training duration was recorded and aerobic fitness capacity (V̇O2max) assessed via maximal exercise testing.

Results
The beta-diversity of the tongue dorsum microbiome differed between groups (Adonis p=0.046) and athletes had a higher relative abundance of NO3--reducing Rothia mucilaginosa and unclassified Gemella species. No significant differences were detected in the supragingival plaque. Positive correlations were detected between R. mucilaginosa and unclassified Gemella species and aerobic fitness. Athletes had higher levels of salivary NO3- (p=0.003) and NO2- (p=0.03).

Conclusions
Exercise training may impact the tongue dorsum microbiome more than supragingival plaque, with the relative abundance of specific health-associated bacteria higher in the tongue dorsum microbiome of athletes. The robust methodologies employed in this study highlight a possible link between consistent exercise and the development of an oral microbiome conducive to health. However, further research is needed to explore the mechanisms connecting exercise, the oral microbiome, and overall health.

Original language	English
Article number	31736
Journal	Scientific Reports
Volume	15
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-16835-3
Publication status	Published - 28 Aug 2025

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

Nitrite-production
Oral microbiome
Nitric oxide
16 s rRNA
Exercise
Nitrate-reduction
Nitrate
Exercise training
Dental disease
Physical activity

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Cite this

@article{18073a340f934406b693b43cfa8e6921,

title = "A comparison of oral microbiome composition between highly trained competitive athletes and untrained controls",

abstract = "Background The oral microbiome has a crucial role in nitric oxide (NO) production and contributes to oral and systemic health. This study compared oral microbiome composition and markers of NO production between highly trained competitive athletes and inactive controls. Materials and Methods Competitive athletes and untrained controls (N=10 per group) were recruited. Saliva, plasma, supragingival plaque and the tongue dorsum microbiome were sampled. The microbiome was examined using long-read 16S rRNA sequencing and ozone-based chemiluminescence used to measure nitrate (NO3-) and nitrite (NO2-) levels. Weekly training duration was recorded and aerobic fitness capacity ({\.V}O2max) assessed via maximal exercise testing. Results The beta-diversity of the tongue dorsum microbiome differed between groups (Adonis p=0.046) and athletes had a higher relative abundance of NO3--reducing Rothia mucilaginosa and unclassified Gemella species. No significant differences were detected in the supragingival plaque. Positive correlations were detected between R. mucilaginosa and unclassified Gemella species and aerobic fitness. Athletes had higher levels of salivary NO3- (p=0.003) and NO2- (p=0.03). Conclusions Exercise training may impact the tongue dorsum microbiome more than supragingival plaque, with the relative abundance of specific health-associated bacteria higher in the tongue dorsum microbiome of athletes. The robust methodologies employed in this study highlight a possible link between consistent exercise and the development of an oral microbiome conducive to health. However, further research is needed to explore the mechanisms connecting exercise, the oral microbiome, and overall health.",

keywords = "Nitrite-production, Oral microbiome, Nitric oxide, 16 s rRNA, Exercise, Nitrate-reduction, Nitrate, Exercise training, Dental disease, Physical activity",

author = "Annabel Simpson and Rosier, \{Bob T.\} and \{Pons Tamarit\}, Javier and Fiona Henriquez and Alex Mira and Chris Easton and Mia Burleigh",

year = "2025",

month = aug,

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doi = "10.1038/s41598-025-16835-3",

language = "English",

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journal = "Scientific Reports",

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T1 - A comparison of oral microbiome composition between highly trained competitive athletes and untrained controls

AU - Simpson, Annabel

AU - Rosier, Bob T.

AU - Pons Tamarit, Javier

AU - Henriquez, Fiona

AU - Mira, Alex

AU - Easton, Chris

AU - Burleigh, Mia

PY - 2025/8/28

Y1 - 2025/8/28

N2 - Background The oral microbiome has a crucial role in nitric oxide (NO) production and contributes to oral and systemic health. This study compared oral microbiome composition and markers of NO production between highly trained competitive athletes and inactive controls. Materials and Methods Competitive athletes and untrained controls (N=10 per group) were recruited. Saliva, plasma, supragingival plaque and the tongue dorsum microbiome were sampled. The microbiome was examined using long-read 16S rRNA sequencing and ozone-based chemiluminescence used to measure nitrate (NO3-) and nitrite (NO2-) levels. Weekly training duration was recorded and aerobic fitness capacity (V̇O2max) assessed via maximal exercise testing. Results The beta-diversity of the tongue dorsum microbiome differed between groups (Adonis p=0.046) and athletes had a higher relative abundance of NO3--reducing Rothia mucilaginosa and unclassified Gemella species. No significant differences were detected in the supragingival plaque. Positive correlations were detected between R. mucilaginosa and unclassified Gemella species and aerobic fitness. Athletes had higher levels of salivary NO3- (p=0.003) and NO2- (p=0.03). Conclusions Exercise training may impact the tongue dorsum microbiome more than supragingival plaque, with the relative abundance of specific health-associated bacteria higher in the tongue dorsum microbiome of athletes. The robust methodologies employed in this study highlight a possible link between consistent exercise and the development of an oral microbiome conducive to health. However, further research is needed to explore the mechanisms connecting exercise, the oral microbiome, and overall health.

AB - Background The oral microbiome has a crucial role in nitric oxide (NO) production and contributes to oral and systemic health. This study compared oral microbiome composition and markers of NO production between highly trained competitive athletes and inactive controls. Materials and Methods Competitive athletes and untrained controls (N=10 per group) were recruited. Saliva, plasma, supragingival plaque and the tongue dorsum microbiome were sampled. The microbiome was examined using long-read 16S rRNA sequencing and ozone-based chemiluminescence used to measure nitrate (NO3-) and nitrite (NO2-) levels. Weekly training duration was recorded and aerobic fitness capacity (V̇O2max) assessed via maximal exercise testing. Results The beta-diversity of the tongue dorsum microbiome differed between groups (Adonis p=0.046) and athletes had a higher relative abundance of NO3--reducing Rothia mucilaginosa and unclassified Gemella species. No significant differences were detected in the supragingival plaque. Positive correlations were detected between R. mucilaginosa and unclassified Gemella species and aerobic fitness. Athletes had higher levels of salivary NO3- (p=0.003) and NO2- (p=0.03). Conclusions Exercise training may impact the tongue dorsum microbiome more than supragingival plaque, with the relative abundance of specific health-associated bacteria higher in the tongue dorsum microbiome of athletes. The robust methodologies employed in this study highlight a possible link between consistent exercise and the development of an oral microbiome conducive to health. However, further research is needed to explore the mechanisms connecting exercise, the oral microbiome, and overall health.

KW - Nitrite-production

KW - Oral microbiome

KW - Nitric oxide

KW - 16 s rRNA

KW - Exercise

KW - Nitrate-reduction

KW - Nitrate

KW - Exercise training

KW - Dental disease

KW - Physical activity

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105014750511

U2 - 10.1038/s41598-025-16835-3

DO - 10.1038/s41598-025-16835-3

M3 - Article

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SN - 2045-2322

VL - 15

JO - Scientific Reports

JF - Scientific Reports

M1 - 31736

ER -

A comparison of oral microbiome composition between highly trained competitive athletes and untrained controls

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

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