Effects of Taurine-, Caffeine-, and Phosphatidylserine-Containing Supplementation Protocols on Physical and Cognitive Performance in Professional Male Football Players.
A short-term multi-ingredient protocol including taurine, caffeine, and phosphatidylserine may be associated with improved physical, cognitive, and selected game-related outcomes in professional football players, though findings should be interpreted cautiously due to the exploratory nature of the analysis and differences in caffeine dosage between groups.
Key Findings
Results
The TCP group showed smaller fatigue-related declines in sprint performance compared to placebo over a standardized 105-minute training session.
Sprint performance decline was -18% in the TCP group versus -34% in the placebo group
Effect sizes for sprint-related outcomes were η² = 0.18–0.22, indicating medium-to-large effects
Supplementation lasted 10 days with a final dose administered 60 minutes before the training session
81 professional male football players aged 19–32 years participated (n = 27 per group)
Results
The TCP group showed smaller fatigue-related declines in speed compared to the placebo group.
Speed decline was -10% in the TCP group versus -19% in the placebo group
Effect sizes for speed-related outcomes were η² = 0.18–0.22
GPS-derived variables were used to assess locomotor performance
Differences were statistically significant at p < 0.05 compared with placebo
Results
The TCP group demonstrated higher locomotor performance compared to the placebo group.
Effect sizes for locomotor performance outcomes ranged from η² = 0.13 to 0.20
GPS-derived variables were used to assess locomotor performance during the standardized training session
Differences were statistically significant at p < 0.05
Data were analyzed using ANOVA with post hoc tests, with pairwise comparisons additionally adjusted using the Holm-Bonferroni correction
Results
Passing accuracy was higher in the TCP group compared to the placebo group.
Passing accuracy was 84% in the TCP group versus 75% in the placebo group
This was classified as a technical indicator and assessed during the standardized 105-minute training session
Differences reached statistical significance at p < 0.05
The trial was randomized, placebo-controlled, and single-blind
Results
Dribbling success rate was higher in the TCP group compared to the placebo group.
Dribbling success was 73% in the TCP group versus 62% in the placebo group
This was classified as a technical indicator alongside passing accuracy
Differences were statistically significant at p < 0.05 compared with placebo
Results
Coach-rated tactical performance scores were higher in the TCP group compared to placebo.
Effect sizes for coach-rated tactical performance were η² = 0.19–0.25, among the largest observed in the study
Tactical performance was evaluated by coaches, making it partly subjective
The authors explicitly note these findings 'should be interpreted cautiously and regarded as preliminary rather than confirmatory evidence'
Differences were statistically significant at p < 0.05
Results
Reaction time was improved in the TCP group compared to placebo.
Reaction time was assessed as a cognitive performance outcome alongside technical and tactical indicators
Improvements reached statistical significance at p < 0.05 compared with placebo
The TCP group received 1500 mg taurine + 150 mg caffeine + 300 mg phosphatidylserine, while the TC group received 1500 mg taurine + 200 mg caffeine
The independent effect of phosphatidylserine cannot be isolated due to the caffeine dosage difference between TC and TCP groups
Conclusions
The independent effect of phosphatidylserine cannot be determined from this study design due to differences in caffeine dosage between the TC and TCP groups.
The TC group received 200 mg caffeine while the TCP group received only 150 mg caffeine, in addition to 300 mg phosphatidylserine
This confound prevents attribution of TCP-specific benefits to phosphatidylserine alone
The authors explicitly acknowledge this limitation: 'due to differences in caffeine dosage between groups, the independent effect of PS cannot be determined'
Further double-blind studies are recommended by the authors
Methods
The study used a randomized, placebo-controlled, single-blind design with 81 professional male football players over a 10-day supplementation period.
Participants were aged 19–32 years and randomly assigned to three groups of n = 27 each: placebo (P), taurine + caffeine (TC), and taurine + caffeine + phosphatidylserine (TCP)
The final dose was administered 60 minutes before a standardized 105-minute training session
Outcomes included reaction time, sprint performance, GPS-derived locomotor variables, and technical/tactical indicators
Data were analyzed using ANOVA with post hoc tests and Holm-Bonferroni correction due to the exploratory nature of the analysis
What This Means
This research suggests that professional male football players who took a combination supplement containing taurine, caffeine, and phosphatidylserine (PS) for 10 days experienced less fatigue-related decline in sprinting and running speed during a prolonged training session compared to players who took a placebo. The supplement group also showed better passing accuracy (84% vs. 75%), dribbling success (73% vs. 62%), reaction time, and higher scores on coach-rated tactical assessments. The effect sizes observed were in the medium-to-large range for most outcomes.
However, the study has important limitations. Because the taurine + caffeine group and the taurine + caffeine + PS group received different amounts of caffeine (200 mg vs. 150 mg, respectively), it is not possible to separate the specific contribution of phosphatidylserine from the effects of caffeine alone. Additionally, the coach-rated tactical scores involved subjective judgment, the trial was single-blind rather than double-blind, and the analysis was exploratory in nature with many outcomes tested simultaneously — all of which increase the risk of false-positive findings. The authors explicitly caution that the cognitive and tactical findings should be considered preliminary.
This research suggests that multi-ingredient supplementation protocols combining taurine, caffeine, and phosphatidylserine may be worth investigating further for supporting performance in professional football, but well-designed double-blind studies with carefully matched caffeine doses across groups are needed before firmer conclusions can be drawn about what is driving any observed benefits.
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Mizera K, Mizgała-Izworska E, Mizera J, Mackiewicz J. (2026). Effects of Taurine-, Caffeine-, and Phosphatidylserine-Containing Supplementation Protocols on Physical and Cognitive Performance in Professional Male Football Players.. Nutrients. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18111684