Table 4 High taurine supplementation studies to date and outcomes

De Carvalho et al. [14]

9

6

Athletes received taurine (TAU) or placebo (P) supplementation 120 min before the swimming effort

No effect in swimmer performance; ↑ glycerol plasma levels (8%); ↓ lactic anaerobic system contribution

McLeay et al. [45]

10

0.1 g/ kg/BW (not exceeding 10 g)

Completed 60 eccentric contractions of the biceps brachii muscle at maximal effort. Following this, participants were supplemented with 0.1 g/kg/BW of either taurine or rice flour in capsules; continued to consume the capsules in the morning and evening.

Significant ↓ in all performance measures from pre- to 24-h post-eccentric exercise (p < 0.001) for both taurine and placebo; No effects in CK levels

Milioni et al. [46]

17

6

Placebo (6 g dextrose) or taurine (6 g) supplementation), separated by 1 week, 90 min prior to the exhaustive test

No improvements in high-intensity running performance; unclear effect on maximal accumulated oxygen deficit

Ra et al. [56]

29

2

Participants orally consumed 2 g of placebo (lactose) or taurine powder three times a day after meals for 2 weeks before exercise: two sets of maximal eccentric unilateral contractions of the elbow flexor muscle

↓ DOMS

Ra et al. [57]

36

2

Placebo + placebo [placebo], BCAA + placebo, placebo + taurine, and BCAA + taurine [combined]) and given a combination of 3.2 g BCAA (or placebo) and 2 g taurine (or placebo), three times a day, for two weeks prior to and three days after eccentric elbow flexor exercises

↓ exercise-induced DOMS and muscle damage

Zhang et al. [91]

11

6

After the first exercise test, the subjects received supplements of a daily dose of 6 g (2 g three times a day) taurine powder for 7 days prior to the second exercise test. After 7-day of taurine supplementation, an identical exhaustive test procedure was repeated at the same time of day

↓ serum TBARS before exercise (p < 0.05) and resulted in a significantly ↓ DNA migration 24 h after exercise (p < 0.01). Significant ↑ VO₂max, ↑ exercise time to exhaustion, and ↑ maximal workload in test with taurine supplementation (p < 0.05); ↑ taurine concentration