The Effects of Taurine Supplementation on Inflammatory Cytokines and Physical Performance to Simulated Taekwondo-Specific Protocol in Elite Male Athletes: A Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study

Abstract

Background: The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of taurine supplementation as a countermeasure against decrement in athletic performance to enhance metabolic inflammation status, circulating lactate levels, and functional capacity following a simulated taekwondo competition day with the same physiological pressure in elite male taekwondo athletes.Methods: A double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover design was utilized in the present trial. A total number of ten healthy, highly-trained, elite male taekwondo athletes (age=20.60±3.5 years) were accordingly recruited to receive taurine (a dose of 15 mg/ body weight, approximately three servings per day) or the same doses of a placebo for 10 days, separated by a 10-day washout period. The simulated taekwondo competition day included five exhaustive single competition sessions using a special time framework of taekwondo test with the same physiological pressure. Five competition taekwondo stations were also done with a time-course order. Results: The results showed significant time-placebo interaction effect for IL-15 levels (0.001). Using post-hoc comparisons, a significant increase was also found between supplemental and placebo occasions 24 h after the simulated taekwondo competition day (0.001). However, no significant changes were observed in IL-8 (0.19), IL-17 (0.808), hs-CRP (0.766), and TNF-α (p=0.970) levels. In addition, there were no significant changes in final heart rate (p=0.413), countermovement jump (p=0.884), and turning kick (p=0.790) following the simulated taekwondo competition day and taurine supplementation.Conclusions: The results of the present trial did not support the ergogenic effect of short-term (10-day) taurine supplementation on performance and inflammation status of elite male athletes.

Effect of Taurine Supplement on Aerobic and Anaerobic Outcomes: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…There was no agreement on whether taurine intake affects jumping performance. Taurine supplementation of 15 mg/kg per day for 10 days did not influence the athletes' countermovement jump performances, according to an experimental investigation involving 10 male taekwondo athletes who were given an exercise program in which the taekwondo race day was mimicked (55). In a placebo-controlled double-blind study conducted with 14 healthy individuals, it was reported that 1 g of taurine consumed before 3 vertical jump trials did not have a statistically significant effect on vertical jump performance compared with placebo (34).…”

“…Two studies (35,69) assessed peak power, fatigue index, and mean power as anaerobic outputs. Three studies (1,34,55) analyzed vertical and countermovement jump as total height (cm). Three studies (6,14,15) assessed the blood lactate level as postmeasure concentration (mmol/L).…”

“…There was no agreement on whether taurine intake affects jumping performance. Taurine supplementation of 15 mg/kg per day for 10 days did not influence the athletes' countermovement jump performances, according to an experimental investigation involving 10 male taekwondo athletes who were given an exercise program in which the taekwondo race day was mimicked (55).…”

“…Swimming, running, jumping, cycling performance, and treadmill or cycle ergometer testing were all part of the exercise regimen. Ten of the 18 studies (5,16,21,47,54,(64)(65)(66)68,69) found had aerobic outputs, 8 studies (1,6,14,15,35,39,55) had anaerobic outputs, and in 2 studies (34,69) both aerobic and anaerobic outputs were provided. Characteristics of included studies concerning aerobic and anaerobic performance outputs are presented in Tables 1 and 2.…”