Outside the Box - Does Magnesium help with sports recovery?

After an extended winter break, due to a postponed semi-final cup match, the women of Worthing Football Club used the festive period as a time to train hard but also to rest, recover and make two new signings to bolster their squad for a busy period of January fixtures. 

January is a busy period for football clubs at all tiers around England, which will no doubt take its toll on both male and female players up and down the country. Even Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has recently voiced his opinion on this time of the year, stating that “while it is important to uphold the tradition of the English Christmas & New Year fixtures list, it’s also important to note that it does not protect football players, and may even end up killing them”. With consideration to the amount of fixtures Worthing FC Women were due to play in January and the aforementioned comments of the great Spanish tactical mastermind (Pep), Outside the Box had to make a ‘better’ choice for these women’s soccer players to ensure that preparation, recovery and Fatigue were notably catered for. So we welcome BetterYou to the OTB clubhouse, who kindly donated small samples of their BetterYou Magnesium Oil Original Spray 100ml product - A big thank you to Rea at BetterYou for sending me these small but mighty magnesium samples!

What is magnesium body spray used for?

BetterYou Magnesium Oil Body Spray is an extremely strong and pure Magnesium supplement which offers an optimum way to replenish an active individual's magnesium levels. BetterYou say that this award-winning spray is a simple and scientifically proven method of magnesium supplementation.

What does magnesium Spray do?

Boosting magnesium levels with Supplements ensures you maintain a healthy, balanced Body. Unlike traditional forms of magnesium supplementation, BetterYou Magnesium Oil Body Spray is ‘transdermal’ and applied directly to a footballers Skin, whereby the magnesium enters their bodies quickly. It bypasses the digestive system where magnesium and Other Nutrients are poorly absorbed.

Is magnesium good for sports recovery?

Yes, absolutely! Endorsed by Informed Sport, BetterYou Magnesium Oil Body Spray has been scientifically proven to replace magnesium lost through sweat and the accelerated metabolism of strenuous activity. Absorption commences immediately when massaged into the skin, helping to promote natural relaxation.

Magnesium also helps improve rest and recovery by contributing to a reduction in tiredness and fatigue, electrolyte balance and supports normal Energy yielding metabolism.

Is Magnesium good for sports injuries?

Yes! As previously noted, the winter football season will prove more than stressful for a women's soccer player. These stresses will start to take their toll quickly too, from aching & tense muscles to a weakened immune response and difficulty sleeping. A magnesium-rich body will be stronger, more flexible and better able to resist both physical and emotional Stress.

How does sleep affect football players?

A poor night's Sleep will have a negative effect on a soccer player's concentration levels, so if a Worthing Women's Football player is unable to focus during a game it could impact on those decisive moments in the game - e.g. a defensive error that leads to a goal or a missed penalty. Furthermore, chronic sleep issues, such as Insomnia, can affect a footballers Memory, which may contribute to forgetting important set pieces or other training routines.

The body needs magnesium to maintain a state of rest and low levels can lead to restless muscles that may keep a footballer awake at night. Magnesium also ensures the GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid) receptors in our nervous system, Brain & Mind are working efficiently. GABA receptors help the brain switch off in preparation. With this in mind, applying 2-3 sprays of BetterYou Magnesium Oil Body Spray directly to the abs or shoulders, may help a Worthing Women's player get a better night's sleep, once massaged in.

Conclusion: How does magnesium help performance?

It’s clearly evident that taking the appropriate time to help your body recover from football and other sports, is as important as training for improved performance. BetterYou’s magnesium rich products aid the recovery process, whether it be from injury or improved sleep patterns. It therefore comes as no surprise that BetterYou's ambassador programme supports a community of talented sports professionals who are passionate about the brand, and the quality and effectiveness of our products. At the top of his game, one such ambassador, Team GB's Alex Rhodes, relies on BetterYou's products to support his athletic performance. This silver medal winning triathlete was previously quoted as saying "A huge part of my recent success at the European Cross Duathlon Championships is certainly down to using BetterYou Magnesium Oil Spray".

Make sure you’re following Worthing Women’s Football Club on social media, @WorthingFCWomen on Twitter and @worthingfcwomen on Instagram to see how they get on with BetterYou Magnesium Oil Body Spray for the remainder of the London & South East Women's Premier League season.

Read More: Magnesium Supplement Benefits: Why You Need It for Health & Wellness