Soccer (or football, as some aficionados would leap to correct) is the world’s most-played sport. In fact, its popularity has increased following the FIFA World Cup, which saw millions of people tuning in for every match. The enthusiasm is high and the ambition to become a soccer player even higher, especially when you consider the salaries they make—the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi make upwards of $100 million. 

Perhaps that’s what encouraged children to participate in the nutritional supplement company Nutritional Growth Solutions’ (ASX: NGS) trials. The Company has invested $100k in conducting clinical trials to evaluate the effectiveness of its innovative sports supplement on the physical activity performance of young soccer players. 

Nutritional Growth Solutions CEO and Managing Director, Liron Fendell, shared, “The global sports nutrition market and supplements was valued at US$44.43 billion in 2021 and is expected to increase in value to US$85.7 billion by 2030. Based on extensive research, NGS has formulated an innovative nutritional supplement, aimed at [the] completion of the high nutritional requirements of adolescent athletes to help them improve their body composition, exercise performance and general health.”

The clinical trial will recruit up to 50 healthy soccer players, aged 8 to 15, to determine the efficacy and safety of the new supplement versus placebo. The Company will run multiple tests,  like 10m and 20m sprints, countermovement jumps, agility tests, endurance tests, anthropometric assessments (height, weight and BMI) and body composition, to evaluate effectiveness. 

The NGS innovative nutritional supplement packs a significant dose of energy, comprising high-quality whey proteins, additional specific amino acids, creatine monohydrate, carbohydrates, fats, and micronutrients (including calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E and vitamin B complex). 

If a player is nutrient deficient, they run the risk of losing muscle mass, overall strength and bone mineral density. Research has found that lacking sufficient calories, and macro and micro-nutrients may impair an athlete’s training adaptations. Plus, they are more likely to fall sick. The player might also overtrain to compensate for their poor performance and put a strain on their body. 

To shoot two goals in two minutes like Mbappé did during the FIFA World Cup finals, football players need, well, skill, but also a comprehensive round-up of nutrients. NGS aims to provide that in a supplement. 

Fendell added, “This trial marks our first step into the growing sports supplements market, and we look forward to offering active children a safe, effective supplement, which was designed especially for them.”

In 2023, the Company’s focus will be on boosting US sales of its products. Still, NGS will give due attention to international market expansions (it expanded into Poland just last month) and trials in the coming weeks. 

The clinical trial comprises an eight-week treatment period followed by an eight-week open-label period. Initial results are expected in Q3 2023.