The Combined Effect of Taurine and Omega-3 Supplementation on Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness in High-Intensity Eccentric Exercise

Eccentric exercise makes more tensions in active muscle fibers, resulting in muscle damage and delayed pain. Therefore, Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) is a common result of severe eccentric contractions. This study aimed to clarify the combined effect of taurine and omega-3 supplementation on DOMS and muscle damage after high-intensity eccentric exercise in young untrained men.

Forty-eight young untrained males were assigned to four groups (taurine+omega-3 [combined], taurine, omega-3, and one placebo group) and given 1,500 mg taurine and 1,500 mg omega-3 or 1,500 mg taurine or 1,500 mg omega-3 or placebo twice a day respectively. Each group received its supplements for twenty-eight days. DOMS and muscle damage in the lower body developed using a leg press with a weight equivalent to 70% of 1RM (One-Repetition Maximum). Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Creatine kinase (CK) and perceived muscle soreness measures were repeated before, immediately, 24, 48, and 72 hr after eccentric activity. p<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

In the combined group, there was no increase in CK and LDH in immediate time and 72 hr after the exercise, respectively, compared to the period before the workout. At 24 and 48 hr after the training, there was a significant decrease in muscle pain perception in all groups compared to placebo (p<0.05).

Coclusion: 

A combination of 1500 mg taurine and 1500 mg omega-3, two times a day, for four weeks can reduce the levels of CK and LDH enzymes as some indicators of muscle damage. It also attenuates exercise-induced DOMS and muscle damage.