Taurine and exercise performance in athletes

Objective: To examine whether taurine supplementation improves exercise performance and attenuates exercise-induced muscle damage in trained athletes. In this randomized, placebo-controlled trial, participants completed a standardized supplementation period followed by repeated performance testing, including time-to-exhaustion or time trial endpoints, alongside biochemical markers of muscle stress and recovery. Taurine supplementation was associated with longer sustained exercise output and favorable shifts in indices such as creatine kinase and perceived exertion in some testing conditions. Effects were most apparent during high-intensity or prolonged efforts, suggesting a role in fatigue resistance rather than maximal strength. The intervention was generally well tolerated, and no serious adverse events were reported. Although sample sizes were modest and protocol heterogeneity limited certainty, the results are consistent with taurine influencing cellular hydration, calcium handling, and oxidative stress responses during demanding exercise. These findings support further controlled trials in both endurance and mixed-sport populations.