The effect of taurine supplementation on some cardiometabolic parameters and physical fitness components at rest and following an exhaustive exercise session in active men

Background & Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of taurine supplementation on some cardiometabolic parameters and components of physical fitness at rest and following an exhaustive exercise session in active men. Methods: The research method was quasi-experimental and twenty active men were selected from among taekwondo players in the city of Saghez and were randomly divided into two experimental (supplementation, n=10) and control (placebo, n=10) groups. The assessments were carried out in three stages (pre-supplementation, post-supplementation, and immediately after an exhaustive exercise session). The period of supplementation was fourteen days (four grams per day). The placebo group consumed four grams of starch each day in the same period. Brucechr('39')s treadmill test was used as an exhaustive exercise session. To analyze the data, analysis of variance with repeated measurements was used at the significant level of P<0.05. Results: A period of taurine supplementation had no significant effect on aerobic power, muscle endurance, anaerobic power, muscle strength, blood pressure, body fat percent and lipid profile in active men (P>0.05), but decreased levels of glucose (P=0.001), insulin (P=0.003) and insulin resistance (P=0.001). Also, taurine supplementation had no effect on the response of lipid profile, glucose, insulin and insulin resistance to an exhaustive exercise session in active men (P>0.05). Conclusion: Supplementation of taurine for fourteen days (four grams per day) does not appear to affect physical fitness components, blood pressure, body fat percent, and lipid profile levels at rest and following an exhaustive exercise in active men, but decreases resting levels of glucose, insulin and insulin resistance.