Do Supplements Give Athletes an Edge?

Do Supplements Give Athletes an Edge?

From 6am jogs, to a special healthy diet, scheduled snacks and not to mention rigorous workout routines—athletes put a lot of effort into becoming what they are.

We give them less credit than we should for those perfectly toned, muscular bodies that make heads turn even in the most crowded of places. But all we see in them is an accomplished athlete, on a victory stand, with a gleaming medal around their neck.

However not all athletes are able to reach those heights of success despite doing all the right things. It’s really frustrating to not be able to perform up to par at a game after months of regular training sessions. One reason for this can be lack of supplements in their diet.

Dietary supplements for athletes can make the difference between winning and losing—and that’s a deal-breaker for them! Here’s how.

Caffeine Helps With Endurance

Caffeine is not only an energy booster that gives you a wakeup call, but it also helps pick up pace during a game. Since it improves endurance, caffeine can help getting though marathons and other lengthier challenges successfully.

Research shows that athletes like soccer players, runners, rowers, and tennis players perform better with caffeine in their system. However it works differently for everyone and can boost their performance in a number of ways.

While sprinters benefit from it with an increased speed, cyclists or swimmers can take an extra lap with greater caffeine-induced energy.

Caffeine is also a great remedy for muscle soreness which results after an aggressive workout or a tough game. With quicker healing, you’ll need less time to recover and can invest more time in practicing for the next tournament.

More Reps with Creatine

If you’re into intensive, short bouts of workout, creatine monohydrate could help with that. Even though the effect is not as prominent in other kinds of sports, it has proven to be highly beneficial for high-intensity regimens.

Creatine is naturally produced in the body and is consumed by the muscles during exercise. While meeting your rep record in the gym, your muscles use the naturally-produced quantities of it. This is why you feel more exhausted by the time you reach your last rep.

Creatine supplements work by increasing the quantity in your body so that you’re able to push yourself just beyond the limit. If you want to go one extra mile and set a new score, creatine is what you need.

Beta-Alanine for Muscle Burnout

Ever feel that hot, burning sensation in your calves after cardio? That’s because your body produces lactic acid during short bouts of workout which causes burning in the muscles. This burning sensation can stand in the way of your daily target.

Taking beta-alanine supplements help athletes overcome muscle burning. This way they’re able to sprint past the finish line without collapsing and complete their daily workout target with ease.