The trillions of microbes living in the human gut are increasingly recognised as important partners in human health. Scientists have linked the gut microbiome to several aspects of health, from metabolism and immunity to mental health . A recent study suggests that these microbes may also influence an important aspect of fitness – muscle strength . Muscle strength is a crucial feature of health for many reasons. It supports our joints and keeps our bones healthy, boosts athletic performance and even plays a role in metabolic health. Muscle strength also helps us maintain independence later in life. As muscles gradually weaken as we get older, everyday tasks become harder and the risk of falls increases . Understanding what influences muscle strength is therefore an important part of healthy ageing research. A recent study explored whether specific gut bacteria might be linked to muscle strength.…