The role of biotics and bioactive compounds in sports injuries: a narrative review

Sports injuries affect not just the physical, but also the psychological, social, and professional aspects of athletes’ lives. Preventive strategies, nutrition, and nutritional supplements—especially biotics and bioactive compounds—are crucial for recovery and may help prevent injury recurrence. This review examines biotics and bioactive compounds that may be effective on sports injuries, revealing their potential benefits and safety of use. Using a comparative and interpretive approach, the pertinent literature was thoroughly examined for this review, with a special focus on clinical and preclinical research conducted within the last 5 years. Bioactive compounds and biotics (prebiotics: indigestible substances that support beneficial bacteria; probiotics: live beneficial microorganisms; postbiotics: bioactive microbial metabolites) can improve sports-related injuries by affecting inflammation, mitochondrial function, biogenesis, oxidative stress, and atrophy. Biotics achieve these systemic effects by improving intestinal barrier function and modulating the microbiota. Current literature indicates that some compounds show promise for treating sports injuries, but human study evidence is limited. Animal models provide useful insights for future research. Finally, polyphenolic compounds, amino acids/peptides, and w-3 fatty acids, thanks to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, can indirectly contribute to muscle regeneration and cell repair, thus supporting the recovery process in athletes. However, it is still too early to make recommendations regarding the use of biotics and bioactive compounds in sports injuries.