The Link Between Exercise and Your Microbiome Health

A new study shows that some mice have microbes in their guts that motivate them to exercise more, leading scientists to question whether the same might be true for humans. The study found that some species of gut-dwelling bacteria can drive the production of dopamine, the feel-good neurotransmitter, to reward exercising for a longer duration. The researchers identified two bacterial species, Eubacterium rectale and Coprococcus eutactus, which were responsible for boosting the motivation to exercise in high-performing mice. The study cannot yet directly draw conclusions for humans, but similar pathways are active in humans.