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Post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) and taurine combination improves anaerobic performance in highly trained wrestlers: a double-blind, randomized, crossover study.

  • 2026-05-11
  • Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 23(1)
    • Süleyman Bi̇lgi̇n
    • Yusuf Buzdağli
    • Murat Ozan
    • Umut Yilmaz
    • Çağrı Çi̇ydem
    • Cemre Didem Eyi̇pinar
    • Muhammet Raşit İnaç
    • Ufuk Han Bağaçli
    • Halil Uçar
    • Erdinç Şiktar
    • Mücahit Dursun

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population
20 elite male wrestlers
Methods
Double-blind crossover design; three separate sessions: control (CON), PAPE protocol with placebo (PAPE*PLA), PAPE protocol with taurine supplementation (PAPE*TAU); 3 sets of 8 repetitions of squat and hip thrust exercises at 85% of one-repetition maximum; taurine supplement or sucrose placebo administered 60 minutes before protocol; Wingate anaerobic power test conducted 5 minutes after PAPE protocol; CMJ tests before, immediately after, and five minutes after WanT.
Blinding
Double-blind
Funding
Unclear

Background

PAPE is a physiological phenomenon that temporarily enhances muscular strength and responsiveness following high-intensity muscle activity. This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of a PAPE protocol combined with taurine supplementation on anaerobic performance, blood lactate levels, and neuromuscular fatigue in highly trained male wrestlers.

Methods

Twenty elite male wrestlers participated in a double-blind, crossover design comprising three separate sessions: (i) control with no supplementation or PAPE protocol (CON), (ii) PAPE protocol with placebo (PAPE*PLA), and (iii) PAPE protocol with taurine supplementation (PAPE*TAU). In the PAPE*PLA and PAPE*TAU conditions, participants completed 3 sets of 8 repetitions of squat and hip thrust exercises at 85% of their one-repetition maximum. Either a taurine supplement or a sucrose placebo was administered 60 minutes before the protocol. Five minutes after the PAPE protocol, the Wingate anaerobic power (WanT) test was conducted, while CMJ tests were performed before (CMJ-pre), immediately after (CMJ-post), and five minutes following (CMJ-post-5) the WanT.

Results

The PAPE*TAU condition resulted in significantly higher peak power output (16.76% increase; p = 0.048) and power relative to body mass (22.24% increase; p = 0.028) compared to PAPE*PLA and CON. Additionally, post-test blood lactate levels were significantly lower in the PAPE*TAU condition (p < 0.05), and CMJ performance was significantly better post-exercise (p < 0.05), indicating reduced neuromuscular fatigue.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the combination of the PAPE protocol with taurine supplementation enhances anaerobic performance, supports neuromuscular function, and promotes metabolic recovery following high-intensity exercise. These findings suggest a synergistic effect that may benefit athletes engaged in explosive and anaerobic sports such as wrestling.

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