Exercise Performance in Extreme Environments
Conditions
Brief summary
This study is designed to evaluate the effects of acute pre-exercise taurine supplementation at different doses on the performance of college students during exhaustive exercise and subsequent repetitive sprint (RS) activities in a high-temperature, high-humidity environment. Sixteen college students (8 male, 8 female) will participate in a single-blind, randomized, crossover-controlled trial. Participants will be divided into four groups: high-dose taurine (6g), medium-dose taurine (4g), low-dose taurine (1g), and placebo. Key performance metrics such as peak power (PP), mean power (MP), fatigue index (FI), exhaustion time (ET), reverse vertical jump height, heart rate (HR), blood lactate (BLA), and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) will be measured. The objective of this study is to assess how taurine supplementation influences exercise performance under these challenging environmental conditions. This study will help to better understand taurine's potential effects on exercise performance and contribute to nutritional strategies for athletes exposed to extreme conditions.
Detailed description
This study is designed to evaluate the effects of taurine supplementation on exercise performance under extreme environmental conditions of high temperature and high humidity. The primary goal is to investigate whether taurine supplementation can enhance performance during exhaustive exercise and subsequent repetitive sprints (RS). Sixteen college students (8 male, 8 female) will participate in a single-blind, randomized, crossover-controlled trial. Participants will be divided into four groups receiving either high-dose (6g), medium-dose (4g), low-dose (1g) taurine supplementation, or placebo. The study will involve a protocol with exhaustive exercise followed by six repetitive sprints. Performance metrics such as peak power (PP), mean power (MP), and fatigue index (FI) will be recorded. Additionally, physiological parameters, including heart rate (HR) and blood lactate (BLA), as well as subjective measures like ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), will be monitored. A standardized measurement protocol will be used to ensure consistency and accuracy across trials.
Interventions
Participants will receive a placebo, consisting of an inactive substance (0g taurine). The placebo will be provided in powder form, dissolved in water, and administered 30 minutes prior to exercise. This intervention serves as a control arm to evaluate the effects of taurine supplementation on exercise performance, fatigue resistance, and recovery under high-temperature and high-humidity conditions.
Participants will receive taurine supplementation at a high dose of 6g. The taurine will be provided in powder form, dissolved in water, and administered 30 minutes prior to exercise. This intervention is designed to evaluate the effects of high-dose taurine supplementation on exercise performance, fatigue resistance, and recovery under high-temperature and high-humidity conditions.
Participants will receive taurine supplementation at a medium dose of 4g. The taurine will be provided in powder form, dissolved in water, and administered 30 minutes prior to exercise. This intervention is designed to evaluate the effects of medium-dose taurine supplementation on exercise performance, fatigue resistance, and recovery under high-temperature and high-humidity conditions.
Participants will receive taurine supplementation at a low dose of 1g. The taurine will be provided in powder form, dissolved in water, and administered 30 minutes prior to exercise. This intervention is designed to evaluate the effects of low-dose taurine supplementation on exercise performance, fatigue resistance, and recovery under high-temperature and high-humidity conditions.
Sponsors
Study design
Masking description
The study employed a single-blind design where participants were masked to the intervention assignments. This means that participants were unaware of whether they received high-dose taurine (6g), medium-dose taurine (4g), low-dose taurine (1g), or placebo. The care providers and investigators were aware of the intervention assignments to ensure proper administration and data collection.
Intervention model description
This study utilized a single-blind, randomized, crossover-controlled design to evaluate the effects of taurine supplementation at varying doses (6g, 4g, 1g) and placebo on exercise performance under high-temperature and high-humidity conditions. Each participant received all four interventions (high-dose, medium-dose, low-dose, and placebo) in randomized order, with a washout period between treatments to minimize carryover effects. This design allows each participant to serve as their own control, enhancing the precision of the comparisons across conditions.
Eligibility
Inclusion criteria
* School students * Aged between 18 and 28 years * No exercise-related risk, as indicated by a no response to all questions in the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) * No taurine-based supplements consumed in the last month.
Exclusion criteria
: * Individuals who do not meet the inclusion criteria * Individuals with a history of cardiovascular issues, respiratory problems, or any condition that may impair exercise performance * Participants who did not provide a no response to all questions in the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) * Participants who consumed taurine-based supplements in the month preceding the study.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change from Baseline in Peak Power (Watts) | Measured at the end of each sprint on Day 1 and Day 7. | Description: Maximum power output during each of the 6 sprints, measured using a cycle ergometer. Method of Assessment: Power output will be recorded for each sprint, and the peak value will be identified. |
| Change from Baseline in Mean Power (Watts) | Measured after all 6 sprints on Day 1 and Day 7. | Description: Average power output across all 6 sprints, reflecting sustained anaerobic performance. Method of Assessment: Power output will be averaged across all sprints. |
| Change from Baseline in Fatigue Index (%/s) | Measured across all 6 sprints on Day 1 and Day 7. | Description: Rate of decline in power output across the sprints, representing fatigue resistance. Method of Assessment: The decline in power output will be calculated as the difference between the first and last sprint, divided by the time interval. |
| Change from Baseline in Exhaustion Time (seconds or minutes) | Measured at the point of exhaustion during exhaustive exercise on Day 1 and Day 7. | Description: The duration participants can sustain exercise before reaching volitional exhaustion. Method of Assessment: Time will be recorded from the start of exercise until the participant reaches exhaustion. |
| Change from Baseline in Blood Lactate Levels (mmol/L) | Measured at baseline (pre-exercise), immediately after exercise, and at specific recovery intervals on Day 1 and Day 7. | Description: Blood lactate levels will be measured to evaluate metabolic stress and recovery during exercise. Method of Assessment: Blood samples will be collected at designated time points during recovery to assess lactate accumulation and clearance. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change from Baseline in Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE) | Measured continuously during exhaustive exercise and repetitive sprint activity on Day 1 and Day 7. | Description: Participants' perceived physical and mental exertion will be assessed using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale. Method of Assessment: Participants will rate their exertion on a scale from 6 (no exertion at all) to 20 (maximal exertion). |
Countries
China