Near-Infrared Spectroscopy, Acute Taurine Supplementation, and Isolated Muscular Endurance and Fa… (NCT07654946) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Near-Infrared Spectroscopy, Acute Taurine Supplementation, and Isolated Muscular Endurance and Fatigue Resistance in Young Healthy Adults
34 participantsStarted 2026-06-22
Plain-language summary
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.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 40 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
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 renal disease
* Self-report history of uncontrolled hypertension (resting systolic blood pressure \> 180 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure \> 100 mmHg)
* Self-report history of blood clotting disorders
* Self-report history of sickle cell trait
* Self-report history of myopathy leading to muscle loss, weakness, severe cramps, or myalgia
* Self-report history of musculoskeletal disorders
* Self-report history of lower limb musculoskeletal injuries that may cause significant differences in the functional capacities of the right and left legs
* Self-report history of neurological disorders
* Active tobacco, E-cigarette, or nicotine use
* Recent (within previous 2 weeks) consumption of energy drinks or supplements containing ≥ 1 gram of taurine on \> 2 days/week
* Actively taking medications to treat blood-clotting disorders
* Any condition that, in the judgement of the Principal Investigator, ma…
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This trial is testing a single dose of taurine as a supplement rather than a medication — given that I may have my own health conditions or take other supplements, is there any reason a one-time taurine dose could be risky or interact with anything I'm currently taking?
2The study involves a leg exercise test pushed to exhaustion using a single-leg extension machine — is that kind of maximal physical effort safe and appropriate for my current fitness level and health status?
3Since this trial is listed as 'not yet recruiting,' do you think it's worth waiting for it to open, or are there other studies or standard approaches to improving muscle endurance that might be a better fit for me right now?
4The trial is focused on healthy young adults and is measuring things like mitochondrial capacity in muscle using a near-infrared light device — does my personal health profile actually match what they're looking for, and would my doctor expect the findings to be relevant to my specific situation?
5This appears to be a research study rather than a treatment trial, meaning there's no guaranteed personal health benefit — how should I weigh the time commitment and physical effort of participating against what I might personally gain compared to just focusing on a standard exercise program?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Single Leg Extension Time-to-Exhaustion
Timeframe: From Acute Supplementation Assessment Visit 1 to Acute Supplementation Assessment Visit 2, 7-10 days
2
Single-Leg Muscular Fatigue Index
Timeframe: From Acute Supplementation Assessment Visit 1 to Acute Supplementation Assessment Visit 2, 7-10 days
3
Correlation Between Vastus Lateralis NIRS Rate Constant and Single-Leg Extension Time-to-Exhaustion
Timeframe: From the NIRS Assessment Visit to Acute Supplementation Assessment Visit 2, approximately 2-3 weeks
4
Correlation Between Vastus Lateralis NIRS Rate Constant and Single-Leg Muscular Fatigue Index
Timeframe: From the NIRS Assessment Visit to Acute Supplementation Assessment Visit 2, approximately 2-3 weeks