Effects of combined low-dose caffeine and taurine on anaerobic, neuromuscular, and cognitive performance: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled crossover study

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 registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT07466654, registered on 06/03/2026. Retrospectively registered.