Effect of Taurine ingestion before exercise on muscle fatigue

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of taurine ingestion before exercise on muscle fatigue. [Subjects] Ten male soccer players participated in this study. [Methods] This study had a double-blind crossover test design. The subjects drank taurine water or placebo water before exercise. Two types of exercise were performed: bicycle ergometer and isokinetic knee extension exercise. Muscle fatigue was evaluated using the mean power frequency (MPF) of the rectus femoris electromyogram, peak torque, and blood components. [Results] The taurine blood level of the subjects who imbibed taurine water was significantly higher than that of the subjects who drank placebo water. Furthermore, their myoglobin blood level was lower and their MPF showed a tendency to decline less than that of the placebo group. [Conclusion] These results suggest that the taurine blood level is increased by taurine intake, and that muscle fatigue due to exercise was inhibited by taurine ingestion.