When it comes to supporting your joints, collagen should be at the top of your list when it comes to supplements for football. Collagen is the most abundant structural protein in the body, and plays a key role in maintaining healthy joint function. Consuming collagen ahead of a high impact session can support an increase in how much collagen our body produces which in turn can support the strength of areas like tendons and ligaments. This makes it a great tool in any return to play program as well should you find yourself with a joint related injury.

Kinetica Sports has two choices when it comes to collagen, Collagen Shot with Turmeric and Collagen Powder.

Another supplement worth considering for joint health is Omega-3. It has anti-inflammatory properties, and can help reduce joint stiffness – perfect for maintaining your performance mid-season.

Finally, Vitamin D is another useful supplement when it comes to bone health as it supports the absorption of calcium. As we require the sun to support us in our vitamin D needs, many athletes struggle to meet their requirements particulatly over the winter months.

Protecting your joints is only one part of your post-match and in-season strategy as there are many facets of your needs to consider. Meeting protein needs is essential when it comes to retaining your muscle mass, supporting muscle growth and recovery. It also supports immune health. Whey Protein, Plant Protein and Clear Whey are all convenient options to help you meet your protein needs alongside the protein sources in your diet. They can be useful options post training in particular when appetite might be poor but recovery is a priority.

Creatine on the other hand, while it will also support lean muscle mass, it does so in a different way. Creatine provides energy to muscles, helping to keep you moving during bursts of high-intensity activity on the pitch (e.g sprinting) or when lifting in the gym. It helps you perform at your best repeatedly so you can get the most from your performance on the pitch.

Ahead of any football match, it’s important that you prepare accordingly. Outfield players start their preparation the day before, increasing carbohydrate intake to support their performance in a match the following day. Carbohydrates are really important here but also around game time. 30-60 minutes before a match you may want to top up your energy stores further, the aim is to consume something high in carbohydrates and easy to digest. Here you can use something like a Kinetica Sports gel.

Half time provides another opportunity to ensure your energy levels are where they should be for the second half. Here, easy digesting carbohydrates are key, think gels, Energy powder and sports drinks.

For an additional support with alertness and to minimise fatigue you could choose our Energy + Caffeine gel, caffeine being an ergogenic aid.

Hydration is also key at half time, we lose fluid and electrolytes through our sweat so we want to replenish both so we stay focused and on top of our performance. Electro-C can be helpful here to support you with that.

Staying hydrated is key to reaching your performance goals. Our electrolyte tablets are designed to help you replenish the electrolytes that are lost through sweat so you can rehydrate more effectively during matches or intense training sessions.

Electrolytes are also really helpful when playing in hot and humid conditions as sweat rates tend to be higher.