Louisiana State University and A&M College
The goal of this clinical trial is to determine the association between near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-derived mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) capacity of the vastus lateralis muscles, and both local muscular endurance capacity and local muscular fatigability of the thigh muscles in young adults. Additionally, this trial aims to determine the effect of acute taurine supplementation on local muscular endurance capacity and local muscular fatigability when compared to a placebo condition. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Will there be a positive correlation between NIRS rate constant (a marker of mitochondrial function) and local muscular endurance capacity, along with a negative correlation between NIRS rate constant and local muscular fatigability? 2. Will acute taurine supplementation lead to improvements in local muscular endurance capacity and local muscular fatigability when compared to a placebo condition? Participants will: 1. Complete a NIRS assessment to non-invasively assess the mitochondrial capacity of both vastus lateralis muscles 2. Complete two acute supplementation assessment visits (separated by 7-10 days) which involve small blood collections before and after taurine or placebo supplementation 3. Perform a single-leg extension time-to-exhaustion test to measure local muscular endurance capacity on one leg, along with a repeated maximal voluntary isometric contraction fatigue index test to measure local muscular fatigability on the opposite leg, during each acute supplementation assessment visit.
Participants will be recruited from the Louisiana State University campus and the Greater Baton Rouge area. Interested and potentially eligible participants will be identified based on the responses provided to questions on a prescreen assessment survey completed electronically via RedCap. These individuals will then be scheduled for the in-person Screening and Familiarization Visit which will include: a review of the informed consent form; a review of the inclusion/exclusion criteria; a self-report medical history and medication inventory; the collection of demographic information; an assessm…
Inclusion Criteria: * Capable and willing to give written informed consent * Capable of understanding inclusion and exclusion criteria * No medical condition that would limit participation in supervised exercise * No current prescription medications known to impact mitochondrial function * Sedentary or recreationally active (self-report average MVPA \< 300 mins/week) * Willing to allow researchers to use data for research purposes Exclusion Criteria: * Self-report history of diabetes mellitus * Self-report history of cardiovascular, peripheral vascular, cerebral vascular, pulmonary, or rena…
Participants will ingest six taurine capsules (6 grams of taurine) following a baseline blood collection to determine baseline plasma taurine levels. 60 minutes following ingestion, there will be an additional blood collection to determine post-supplementation plasma taurine levels. Participants will then perform exercise assessments. The order of taurine supplementation relative to placebo supplementation will be randomized in a double-blind crossover with 7-10 days separating each condition.
Participants will ingest six placebo capsules (1.2 grams of microcrystalline cellulose) following a baseline blood collection to determine baseline plasma taurine levels. 60 minutes following ingestion, there will be an additional blood collection to determine post-supplementation plasma taurine levels. Participants will then perform exercise assessments. The order of placebo supplementation relative to taurine supplementation will be randomized in a double-blind crossover with 7-10 days separating each condition.