THE MICROBIOTIC ECOLOGICAL NETWORKS IN CHILDREN WITH DIFFERENT LEVELS OF MOTOR ACTIVITY

The gut microbiota plays an important role in maintaining human metabolic health. Physical activity influences its composition and diversity; however, the mechanisms by which it affects the structure of ecological interactions between microorganisms, especially in childhood, remain poorly understood. The aim of the study was to conduct a comparative analysis of the structure and interactions of microbial networks in the gut microbiota of children with different levels of physical activity. The study involved 24 healthy children aged 8–10 years, divided into two groups: a control group (K, only physical education classes at school) and a group of active athletes (C, physical education plus additional taekwondo training). The microbiota composition was analyzed using whole-genome sequencing (Nanopore). Correlation-based microbial networks were constructed and analyzed using significant positive Spearman correlations. Topological parameters were calculated: number of nodes and modules, degree centrality, betweenness centrality, and modularity. Children in group C exhibited a significantly more complex and integrated microbial network structure: more nodes and modules, higher degree centrality of key taxa, and higher modularity. The network of group C was characterized by developed cooperative interactions and the presence of taxa acting as “bridges” with non-zero betweenness centrality, connecting functional modules. In group K, the network was less resilient, showing signs of module isolation and intra-modular competition.