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Supplements are a great way to take your game to the next level. They not only fill a hole in your nutrition but can also increase performance in areas such as focus, endurance, and sustained speed of movement. 

If you have found this page, it’s because you’re looking to up your game and stand above the competition. 

Keep reading as we take a deep dive into the best supplements for footballers. 

What are supplements?

Good nutrition choices can support the health and performance of footballers, whereby the intake, type, quantity and timing of foods, fluids and supplementation can optimise the performance and recovery of players within and between matches. Several other foods and supplements may help to promote health and reduce illness risk during the season. 

Professional footballers will have clear nutrition guidelines to follow on training and match days.

Due to the usual organisation of training sessions in a day (morning ‘on pitch’ sessions followed by resistance work) with limited breaks in training and match play, it isn’t always possible for players to consume foods in the form of meals and this is where sports foods and supplements can help. 

After a match when it is important for players to start refuelling as soon as possible to promote recovery, finger-food and sports foods will often be provided in the changing room and during travel after away games.

In this situation sports foods providing appropriate amounts of carbohydrate and protein can provide a convenient alternative to proper food to meet nutrient targets.

Products with good scientific evidence for consideration include carbohydrate-electrolyte drinks like Isotonic, carbohydrate gels like Extra Time, sports bars and confectionery, carbohydrtae/protein shakes like Recovery, and liquid meal supplements.

For amateur players who maybe do not have the luxury of a qualified nutritionist advising them about what and when to eat and drink, supplements can be even more important.

Some dietary supplements may be effective in improving performance of footballers although there is no guarantee that they will work for everyone. It is important to try these out in training first before being applied in a match situation in case of adverse side effects like tummy upsets. 

Supplements are made to help people bridge the gap between their diet and nutritional needs. 

Supplements can include multivitamins, minerals, probiotics, prebiotics, protein powders, creatine, caffeine, nitrate, carbohydrate-electrolyte drinks, carbohydrate gels, and pre-workout and recovery formulas. 

Most people you know will take some supplements even if they aren’t for performance. 

As a footballer, it is essential that you’re filling in any holes in your dietary intake; however, the supplements we’ll be discussing here are those that will increase performance. 

You shouldn’t be taking random supplements just because you saw a teammate or a pro player consuming them. Instead, supplements should be used to “supplement” an area in which you may be lacking. 

For example, if you aren’t eating enough protein throughout the day, you can increase this through a whey protein shake. It’s easy to make and will fill your nutritional goals. Or you can use a specially formulated supplement like Recovery which contains 25 g protein per 50 g serving.

Never consider supplements as a replacement for food. As a footballer, you should strive to eat a well-balanced diet and use supplements to aid in your overall performance.

How Do Supplements Benefit Performance

Footballers use supplements such as protein shakes, creatine, and a pre-workout formula to aid their match-day performance. 

Supplements have many benefits, including contributing to: 

  • Improved alertness and concentration
  • Increased endurance 
  • Faster recovery time 
  • Increases in strength 
  • Increases in sprinting speed and repeated sprint performance
  • Increases in jumping height and distance
  • Increases in kicking power

As shown by the list above, supplements are an excellent way to increase essential aspects of sports performance! 

Will I See an Immediate Improvement in my Performance?

The answer to this is, like most things in nutrition, it depends. 

You’ll feel an immediate impact on your performance by taking a pre-workout supplement like Kick-Off. Still, for others like protein and creatine, it must be a consistent process. 

Supplements are a great way to improve performance; however, they are not a shortcut or a cure for a poor diet. Combined with hard work, proper nutrition and taking them at the right time supplements can help you maximize your performance on the pitch. 

What are the Best Supplements for Footballers?

We always suggest that footballers take a pre-workout supplement like Kick Off, creatine, and a whey protein supplement. 

Kick Off is a pre-workout supplement designed to improve your in-game performance. 

By using Kick Off, you’ll decrease muscle fatigue, increase ball awareness, and improve speed and endurance.

A whey protein supplement is used to help you recover after a match. 

By providing your body with the necessary proteins and amino acids, you’re better able to recover, repair damaged muscle fibers and maintain muscle mass after a game. 

Creatine is naturally occurring in our bodies, and supplementation is a great way to decrease muscle fatigue and increase the available energy in your muscles for high-intensity actions like sprinting. 

Conclusion

Beyond practicing good basic nutrition, supplements are the best way to increase your football performance healthily and legally. 

None of the supplements we have mentioned are illegal for athletes and are entirely safe when taken in the correct amounts. 

If you want more information on supplements and their ingredients, please explore our site! 

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