ArticleInternational journal of environmental research and public health2014
Diversity of bacterial communities of fitness center surfaces in a U.S. metropolitan area.
Article in International journal of environmental research and public health, 2014. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 27 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
27 citing papers in PubMed.
- Effectiveness of Hydrogen Peroxide Nebulization Combined with Manual Cleaning in Reducing Surface-Associated Microorganisms in an Indoor Fitness Environment.Microorganisms · 2026Article
- Microbial Communities Across Sports Surfaces: Exploring the Biology of Athletic Environments.International journal of molecular sciences · 2026Article
- Microbial Contamination of Gym Equipment: Diversity Patterns, Temporal Dynamics, Staphylococcus Hotspots, and Device-Level Risk Indices.Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Observational
- Patterns, Associated Factors, and Anatomical Concordance of Nasal and ThroatMicroorganisms · 2026Article
- Effect of routine disinfection on bacterial composition and load of gym equipment surfaces in Qassim region, Saudi Arabia.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
- Skin Microbiome Overview: How Physical Activity Influences Bacteria.Microorganisms · 2025Review
- Article
- Comparing microbial populations from diverse hydrothermal features in Yellowstone National Park: hot springs and mud volcanoes.Frontiers in microbiology · 2024Article
- Indoor Bacterial and Fungal Burden in "Moldy" versus "Non-Moldy" Homes: A Case Study Employing Advanced Sequencing Techniques in a US Metropolitan Area.Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Article
- Markers of Chemical and Microbiological Contamination of the Air in the Sport Centers.Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Article
- Metagenomic analysis unveils the microbial landscape of pancreatic tumors.Frontiers in microbiology · 2023Article
- Exploitation of Skin Microbiota in Wound Healing: Perspectives During Space Missions.Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology · 2022Article
- Auto-Disinfectant Acrylic Paints Functionalised with Triclosan and Isoborneol-Antibacterial Assessment.Polymers · 2021Article
- Article
- Insight Into Microbial Community Aerosols Associated With Electronic Waste Handling Facilities by Culture-Dependent and Culture-Independent Methods.Frontiers in public health · 2021Article
- Understanding building-occupant-microbiome interactions toward healthy built environments: A review.Frontiers of environmental science & engineering · 2021Review
- Characterization of Gut Microbiome in Liver Transplant Recipients With Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis.Transplantation direct · 2020Article
- Longitudinal, strain-specific Staphylococcus aureus introduction and transmission events in households of children with community-associated meticillin-resistant S aureus skin and soft tissue infection: a prospective cohort study.The Lancet. Infectious diseases · 2020Article
- The Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic Lockdown During Spring 2020 on Personal Trainers' Working and Living Conditions.Frontiers in sports and active living · 2020Article
- Self-disinfecting surfaces and infection control.Colloids and surfaces. B, Biointerfaces · 2019Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
Abstract
Public fitness centers and exercise facilities have been implicated as possible sources for transmitting community-acquired bacterial infections. However, the overall diversity of the bacterial community residing on the surfaces in these indoor environments is still unknown. In this study, we investigated the overall bacterial ecology of selected fitness centers in a metropolitan area (Memphis, TN, USA) utilizing culture-independent pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA genes. Samples were collected from the skin-contact surfaces (e.g., exercise instruments, floor mats, handrails, etc.) within fitness centers. Taxonomical composition revealed the abundance of Firmicutes phyla, followed by Proteobacter and Actinobacteria, with a total of 17 bacterial families and 25 bacterial genera. Most of these bacterial genera are of human and environmental origin (including, air, dust, soil, and water). Additionally, we found the presence of some pathogenic or potential pathogenic bacterial genera including Salmonella, Staphylococcus, Klebsiella, and Micrococcus. Staphylococcus was found to be the most prevalent genus. Presence of viable forms of these pathogens elevates risk of exposure of any susceptible individuals. Several factors (including personal hygiene, surface cleaning and disinfection schedules of the facilities) may be the reasons for the rich bacterial diversity found in this study. The current finding underscores the need to increase public awareness on the importance of personal hygiene and sanitation for public gym users.
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