Acute effects of taurine supplementation on visuomotor reaction time in physically active young adults

Abstract

Introduction: Physical performance in active individuals depends on the integration of motor abilities and cognitive processes. Taurine, an amino acid abundant in excitable tissues, contributes to central neuromodulation and calcium homeostasis and may therefore affect motor readiness. Objective: To evaluate the acute effects of taurine supplementation alone on visuomotor reaction time in physically active young adults. Methods: Methods: In this randomized, triple-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled trial, eleven physically active volunteers (22 ± 1.14 years) ingested 3 g of taurine, 3 g of starch (placebo), or 3 g of starch (in the condition induced effect placebo). Sessions were separated by a seven-day washout interval. Sessions were separated by a seven-day washout interval. Visuomotor reaction time and accuracy (hits/errors) were assessed using the ReactionX system before and after an incremental exercise protocol performed to exhaustion (Yo-Yo Endurance Test – Level 1). Data distribution was assessed using the Shapiro–Wilk test. Differences among the three experimental conditions were examined using the Friedman test, with paired comparisons performed using the Wilcoxon test. Results: No statistically significant differences were observed between the conditions (taurine, placebo, and induced placebo effect) in reaction time or accuracy, either before or after exercise exhaustion. Reaction time before showed a trend toward a difference among conditions (p = 0.066), while the post-exercise error-rate comparison between taurine and placebo yielded p = 0.056. Neither result met the statistical significance of p < 0.05. Conclusion: Under the conditions investigated, a single 3-g dose of taurine yielded no statistically significant differences in visuomotor reaction time or response accuracy in physically active young adults. These findings should be interpreted in light of the small sample size, the acute supplementation protocol, and the specific cognitive-motor task employed.