We've all understood that exercise improves cardiovascular function, boosts the brain, and even lifts mood but the connection between physical training and gut health is now proving to be one of the most exciting areas of medical science. New research from Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Perth, Australia, indicates that the intensity of your training—rather than the frequency—can actually reconfigure your gut microbiome in tangible ways.

PhD student Bronwen Charlesson, who headed the research, was curious to know how various training loads affect athletes' gut microbes and how these changes may reflect on health and performance. "Athletes possess a distinct gut microbiota compared with the general population," she said. "This encompasses higher total short-chain fatty acid levels, increased diversity, and a distinct balance of bacterial species.

Her research stands on the shoulders of a burgeoning body of science associating the gut microbiome with virtually every element of human health, ranging from immunity and inflammation to energy metabolism. Exercise intensity is now potentially joining diet and genes as a critical player in this intricate system.

Charlesson's work demonstrated that training intensity had a direct impact on gut health markers, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)—molecule-significant compounds found when gut bacteria ferment food fiber. SCFAs are associated with decreased inflammation, better metabolic markers, and more efficient energy use and thus of interest especially for athletes.

Surprisingly, changes in the populations of some bacterial species reflected variation in training load. When doing high-intensity exercise, the gut ecosystem seemed to favor bacteria that subsist on lactate. Lactate, famously known to accompany sore muscles, doesn't only build up in the body—it's also shipped off to the gut, where certain microbes use it for energy. This gut-lactate dynamics might partially account for why athletic microbiomes differ from those of sedentary humans.

Can Rest Days Backfire on Your Gut?

The research also pointed out a behavioral twist, when training intensity decreased, diet quality also took a hit. Athletes in lower-load or rest phases had a higher tendency to eat more fast food, processed snacks, and alcohol while reducing fresh produce.

"While overall carbohydrate and fiber consumption remained constant, the food quality overall decreased," Charlesson observed. "This was accompanied by alterations in the microbiome, including decreases in protective bacteria."

Rest periods also introduced yet another change—reduced gut transit times. Basically, food moved more slowly through the digestive system, something that can shift the microbial balance. The slowing of the gut could possibly permit some bacteria to dominate and compromise the resilience gained through increased training loads.

What Does It Mean for the Athlete and Individuals That Exercise Every Day?

The results hold compelling potential for maximizing performance by managing the microbiome. Although researchers are still putting together the puzzle of exactly how the gut affects strength, endurance, and recovery, there are some theories making the rounds.

One hypothesis is that the microbiome regulates lactate metabolism and pH homeostasis, both important in explosive sports. Another is that gut bacteria are involved in nutrient uptake and energy supply, and thus diet-microbiome-exercise interaction is a three-way puzzle athletes cannot leave unsolved.

But the effects reach farther than high-end athletes. For anyone who exercises—whether you're a CrossFit enthusiast or a weekend jogger—your gut might be adjusting to how you exercise. High-intensity exercise, paired with balanced eating, may help maintain a healthier, more diverse microbiome. On the other hand, skimping on eating during recovery time could eliminate some of the benefits.

The research comes at a time when gut health is a global hot button. Digestive disorder, autoimmune, and metabolic disease rates are on the rise, and numerous researchers are looking to the microbiome as a unifying strand. Discovering how habits such as exercise intensity affect gut bacteria might be the key to new prevention and treatment avenues.

Gut health is not all about steering clear of stomach issues," Charlesson said. "It might also have a role in mental wellbeing, the immune system, and even our reaction to training. That makes it an important area to concentrate on not just for athletes but for anyone who wants to see general well-being."

How To Make Your Gut A Training Partner?

What this study actually implies is that the gut is not a passive commuter—it's an active partner in the way the body interacts with physical stress. Just as athletes dial in training phases, sleep, and water intake, the gut might have a place in the performance playbook.

Future studies might consider whether the personalization of diets based on training intensity augments both microbial diversity and athletic performance. Might probiotic or prebiotic supplementation be periodized similarly to workout routines? Might gut transit times be a signifier of recovery requirements? These are only just beginning to be queried.

Though the research was conducted on athletes, its messages have far-reaching applications. All exercisers might want to pay closer attention to how their rest days influence not just their calorie load, but also their gut flora. It's a wake-up call that health isn't an isolated thing—exercise, nutrition, and recovery are highly interdependent.

High-intensity exercise seems to make the microbiome richer in a way that might augment resilience, energy metabolism, and recovery. Consequently, a healthier gut might enable athletes—and normal exercisers—to handle higher training loads with less fatigue.

This cycle can partially account for why some people appear to thrive on strenuous regimens and others battle with chronic burnout. If subsequent studies validate this bidirectional relationship, microbiome analysis would become as ubiquitous as VO2 max or lactate threshold testing in the training room.

As marathon season commences across India, many runners have begun to warm up to set and beat their personal records. However, many also wonder: What does it take to get ready for a marathon?

According to Sanjana Rao, a Mumbai-based nutritionist who recently participated in the Tata Mumbai Marathon 2026, the first step to training well is to focus on efficiency.

Rao exclusively told Healthandme: "Running a marathon is not just about clocking miles, it’s about teaching the body to sustain effort efficiently. Having run the Tata Mumbai Marathon twice and worked with distance runners as a nutritionist, I have observed that endurance improves when training focuses on efficiency rather than exhaustion.

"Running volume should increase gradually, with one long run each week to build aerobic capacity. Easy runs form the foundation, while tempo runs and controlled speed sessions help runners sustain faster paces without early fatigue. Consistency matters more than intensity, especially for new runners."

"Endurance is not built by doing more, but by doing the right things consistently. When training and fueling align, runners feel lighter, stronger and better prepared for race day."

Which Exercises Can Help You Build A Marathon-Ready Body?

Cherry Aggarwal, a clinical nutritionist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital tells Healthandme: "Runners should include structured and compound lower-body strength training exercises such as squats, lunges, step-ups, hip thrusts, and calf raises to improve muscular endurance, joint stability, and running efficiency.

"Single-leg exercises are particularly important as they help correct imbalances and reduce the risk of overuse injuries common in long-distance running. Building strong marathon legs goes beyond just clocking mileage, requiring a combination of smart strength training, progressive running, and targeted nutrition."

And Rao agrees, citing that strength training that focuses on improving full-body movement and power, rather than increasing muscle size should be prioritized while getting ready for a marathon.

She told the publication: "Strength training is often misunderstood in endurance preparation. Many runners rely heavily on heavy back squats and leg presses. While effective for general strength, these lifts can promote quad and adductor hypertrophy, making the legs feel bulky and reducing running economy.

"For marathon runners, strength work should support movement quality and power transfer, not muscle size."

Talking about how long runners should be working out, Rao revealed: "Most runners benefit from at least one complete rest day each week, with 24–48 hours between hard or long runs. In the final week before race day, reducing training volume allows muscles to repair, glycogen stores to replenish and the nervous system to reset."

What Should You Eat To Build Running Stamina?

Rao explained: "A less known yet crucial factor for new runners is gut training. Many runners experience fatigue or discomfort during long runs not because their legs fail, but because the digestive system struggles to absorb fuel while in motion. Like muscles, the gut adapts with repeated exposure.

"Practicing carbohydrate intake during long training runs through sports drinks, bananas or gels helps the intestine improve glucose absorption under stress, which improves sustained energy output. Hydration and electrolytes are critical in India’s hot and humid conditions to prevent cramps and premature fatigue.

Talking about the exact foods you should be eating, Aggarwal said: "From a nutrition standpoint, adequate carbohydrate intake is essential to maintain glycogen stores for long runs as it is the primary fuel, while sufficient protein supports muscle repair and recovery. Iron-rich foods play a crucial role in oxygen transport and endurance capacity, especially for regular runners.

"Foods like whole grains, bananas, potatoes, lentils, lean meats or paneer, nuts, seeds, and leafy greens play a key role. Including healthy fats like omega-3s can help manage inflammation from repetitive impact, while calcium and vitamin D support bone health.

"Hydration and electrolytes are often overlooked but are critical for muscle contraction and preventing cramps. Consistent training, nutritional recovery and sleep together determines how well the marathon legs perform on race day.”

If your knees crack when you stand up or your back lets out a dramatic pop during a morning stretch, you’re definitely not alone. These sounds, medically known as crepitus, are incredibly common. For most people, they are harmless and simply part of how the body moves. Still, those noises can be unsettling, especially when they happen often. So what’s really going on inside your joints, and how do you know when it’s time to pay attention?

Joints are where two bones meet, allowing movement and flexibility. As they move, it’s normal for them to make sounds. Most of the time, these noises are nothing to worry about. But in some cases, they can signal wear and tear or an underlying issue that deserves a closer look.

What Causes Joints to Crack and Pop?

There isn’t just one reason joints make noise. Several everyday processes inside the body can create pops, clicks, or cracks.

Gas bubbles in joint fluid

One of the most common causes is gas escaping from synovial fluid, the liquid that lubricates your joints. This fluid contains gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide. When you move suddenly, tiny gas bubbles can form and collapse, creating a popping sound. This is completely normal and does not damage the joint.

Tendons and ligaments shifting

Tendons and ligaments help stabilize joints. Sometimes, they slide over a bone and snap back into place during movement. This can cause clicking or popping, especially in the knees, shoulders, and ankles. It’s often noticed during exercise or when you change positions quickly.

Cartilage wear over time

Cartilage cushions the ends of bones and prevents friction. With age, overuse, or repetitive strain, cartilage can thin out. When that happens, joint surfaces may rub more than usual, leading to grinding or grating sounds. This can be an early sign of osteoarthritis, especially if discomfort is also present.

Tight muscles and limited flexibility

After long periods of sitting or intense workouts, muscles and tendons can tighten. As they move over bones, they may create soft snapping or clicking sounds. This is common in people with sedentary routines or those who repeat the same movements daily.

When Should Joint Noises Raise Concern?

Most cracking and popping is harmless, but certain signs suggest it’s time to be cautious.

Pain, swelling, or warmth around a joint may point to inflammation, ligament injury, or arthritis. A sudden loud crack followed by pain or instability could indicate a tear, particularly in the knee. If popping is paired with stiffness or locking, it may be related to meniscus problems or other structural issues. Joint noises that begin after an injury, such as a fall or sports impact, should always be evaluated.

Does Cracking Joints Cause Arthritis?

Despite what many people were told growing up, cracking your knuckles does not cause arthritis. Research has found no direct link between joint cracking and arthritis development. While excessive cracking might cause mild swelling or temporary discomfort, it does not damage the joints or lead to arthritis.

How to Reduce Joint Popping?

If joint noises bother you, small lifestyle changes can help. Regular movement keeps joints flexible and well-lubricated. Stretching tight muscles and strengthening the muscles around joints can reduce strain. Maintaining a healthy weight lowers pressure on knees and hips. Proper warm-ups, hydration, and a nutrient-rich diet also support joint health.

When To See A Doctor?

Joint sounds alone are usually harmless. But if they come with pain, swelling, stiffness, or reduced movement, it’s wise to consult a healthcare professional. Early evaluation can prevent further damage and help you stay mobile and comfortable in the long run.

When it comes to building a strong core, most of us think about exercises like crunches, or sit ups. But there is a lot more to core strength than that. One of the main aspects of core strength is stability and balance. While the floor exercises are helpful, they strain your neck muscles, so what can one do?

You can build a powerful, stable midsection entirely on your feet. Standing core workouts are often more "functional" than traditional crunches because they mimic how your body actually moves in daily life, twisting, carrying, and resisting gravity.

7 Standing Exercises For Strong Core

These are some exercises you can try. They will not only help you build strong core muscles but also build your coordination and balance.

Standing Bicycle Crunches

This move is a fantastic way to wake up your entire abdominal wall. By bringing your opposite knee and elbow together in front of your body, you force your obliques to rotate and your front abs to crunch while standing. It also challenges your brain and balance as you switch from leg to leg. Focus on bringing the knee high rather than just pulling your neck down.

High-Intensity High Knees

This move brings a cardio element to your core training. By quickly driving your knees toward your chest, you engage the lower abdominals and hip flexors. It requires a lot of energy and keeps your heart rate high while forcing your abs to stabilize your upright torso. If the jumping is too much, you can perform it as a slow, powerful march instead.

Standing Dumbbell Side Crunch

Think of this as a side-bend with a purpose. By holding a weight in one hand and leaning toward it, you stretch the opposite side of your waist. The real work happens when you use those side muscles to pull your body back to a perfectly straight, upright position. It is one of the best ways to build lateral strength and define the sides of your torso.

Cable or Band Wood Chop

The wood chop mimics the diagonal motion of swinging an axe, which is a powerful, functional movement. It trains your core to handle rotational force, which is essential for sports like golf or tennis. As you pull the weight across your body, keep your hips stable and let your midsection drive the motion. This builds a core that is both strong and incredibly mobile.

Offset Marching

Holding a weight in one hand while marching forces your body to stabilize against an uneven load. Every time you lift a knee, your core has to fire to prevent you from wobbling or tipping toward the weighted side. This exercise is excellent for improving balance and strengthening the deep "hidden" muscles of the belly that keep your hips and lower back healthy.

The Pallof Press

This is an "anti-rotation" exercise, meaning the goal is to resist movement rather than create it. As you press a cable or band away from your chest, the tension tries to pull you sideways. Your core must stay tight to keep your hands centered. It is a subtle but intense burner that builds incredible stability in the deep abdominal layers and the obliques.

Heavy Suitcase Carry

This exercise is as simple as it is effective. By carrying a heavy weight on just one side, your core must work constantly to keep you from leaning over. This "anti-leaning" action recruits the deep muscles that protect your spine and improve your posture. Imagine there is a string pulling the top of your head toward the ceiling as you take steady, controlled steps.