Taurine Supplementation for Muscle Endurance

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.