Study aim: This study investigated the effect of taurine supplementation on exercise performance and recovery from resistance exercise. The study was conducted with a cross-over design in a double-blind manner.
Material and methods: Ten resistance trained males (age 21.4 ± 2.01 years; BMI: 23.6 ± 2.5 kg/m²) ingested either a taurine (0.1g/kg) supplement or placebo (18 mg aspartame) prior to resistance exercise. Vertical jump, flexibility, balance, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate (HR), maximal voluntary muscle contraction, speed, lactate, glucose and perceived soreness and strain were assessed. The subjects performed two exercise trials with 1 week wash out interval. Blood samples were collected at baseline and before each exercise (chest press, abdominal crunch and leg extension) to analyse plasma levels of lactate and glucose.
Results: Paired-T test results showed statistically significant increment (p < 0.05) in total volume (kg × #repetitions), chest press volume and leg extension volume. Repeated measure ANOVA results demonstrated statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in lactate and flexibility in trial and time, and in maximal voluntary isometric muscle contraction (MVIC) test in time, trial and trial × time in favour taurine group. No statistically significant differences were found in cardiovascular parameters, glucose, and balance parameters (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: In conclusion, 0.1 g/kg of taurine consumption before resistance exercise could positively affect exercise performance by increasing exercise volume and reducing lactate levels.
