US EPA

7437239 

Journal Article 

Supplements in Football 

Amorim, S; Gomes, H; Teixeira, VH; , 

2017 

Springer Berlin Heidelberg 

Berlin, Heidelberg 

Injuries and Health Problems in Football 

607-630 

10.1007/978-3-662-53924-8_53 

http://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-3-662-53924-8_53
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In football, the use of supplements is rather fewer than have been reported from some athletes of other sports. The decision to use a supplement should be made after careful consideration of several issues. It should be assessed if the supplement is safe, legal, and effective. Then, it is important to weigh the benefits (assistance to meet nutritional goals and placebo effect) and the risks (expense, side effects, contamination causing inadvertent doping outcome, and redirection of resources from real performance-enhancing factors) of using the supplement. Dietary supplements should be consumed alongside with a daily diet balanced in macronutrients and micronutrients. There is consolidated evidence about several dietary supplements that may be of interest for use in specific situations in football players. Supplementation with caffeine, carnitine, creatine, omega-3, buffers like β-alanine and sodium bicarbonate, antioxidants, probiotics, vitamin D, and whey protein may be used in football players with distinct goals. Nevertheless, dietary supplements should be used in individualized protocols under the direction of an appropriate sports physician/nutritionist.