Effects of combined low-dose caffeine and taurine on anaerobic, neuromuscular, and cognitive performance: a...

This study investigated the acute effects of low-dose caffeine (2 mg·kg⁻¹) and taurine (10 mg·kg⁻¹), administered alone and in combination, on anaerobic, neuromuscular, and cognitive performance in trained male athletes. Thirty-two participants, each with at least two years of consistent resistance training (≥ 3 sessions·week⁻¹), completed experimental trials using a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover design following ingestion of caffeine, taurine, a caffeine-taurine combination, or placebo. Combined caffeine and taurine supplementation resulted in higher handgrip strength values compared to placebo [p = 0.044; d = 0.51, small effect] and greater average power than caffeine alone [p = 0.006; d = 0.64, moderate effect] and placebo [p = 0.001; d = 0.91, moderate effect]. Taurine supplementation alone did not significantly affect performance outcomes. No statistically significant differences were observed among conditions for peak power, cognitive performance, ratings of perceived exertion, or blood lactate concentrations (p > 0.05). Overall, these findings suggest that co-ingestion of low-dose caffeine and taurine may provide modest improvements in selected neuromuscular and anaerobic performance outcomes without affecting cognitive, perceptual, or metabolic responses. Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT07466654, registered on 06/03/2026. Retrospectively registered.