Fueling the next frontier in sports nutrition – article

Following the 2024 Olympic Games, consumers are more eager than ever to get off the couch and embrace a more active lifestyle. The good news is that the sports nutrition market is thriving and well-equipped to support their fitness goals. According to Nutrition Business Journal (NBJ), the combined sports nutrition and weight management market grew by 11.1% in 2023, reaching nearly $70 billion in the U.S. and marking the third consecutive year of double-digit growth.¹ This expansion has been largely driven by the sports nutrition supplements sector, which grew 8.5% in 2023 to reach $9.7 billion and includes popular products like protein powders and beverages.

On one end of the spectrum, sports nutrition is defined by these kinds of protein products formulated for body shaping and muscle growth; on the other, it offers myriad carbohydrate-based, short-term energy solutions for endurance sports.

Gelita is carving out a new niche by introducing PeptEndure, a protein nutraceutical ingredient specifically designed for long-term endurance support. This innovative ingredient is set to attract not only athletes but also the 56% of consumers who, according to an NBJ survey, purchase sports nutrition products for general health and nutritional benefits.

Perfect training partner

PeptEndure is a collagen protein solution designed to be the perfect training partner for endurance athletes who want to perform better for longer periods of time — whether they’re casually active or professionals. It’s ideal for those involved in traditional endurance sports like cycling, swimming, distance running and triathlons, as well as team sports such as soccer, football and hockey. Additionally, PeptEndure supports athletes engaged in high-intensity training programs like spinning and rowing.

According to NBJ, the top health claim consumers seek in sports performance products is improved energy and stamina, making PeptEndure an appealing choice. “In the sports nutrition market as it stands, certain sectors are already very well catered for — such as quick fix energy concepts and products for the more aesthetic side of sports, where it’s all about building and shaping muscle mass,” said Martin Walter, category manager of healthy aging and sports nutrition at Gelita. “On the other hand, there is a huge white space of untapped potential for long-term adaptation products. PeptEndure enables brand owners to enter this market and build new ground.”

Solid scientific support

The benefits of incorporating PeptEndure into a training routine are supported by two scientific placebo-controlled trials. In these studies, participants consumed either 15 grams of PeptEndure or a placebo daily for 12 weeks, while also engaging in resistance training (10-minute warm-up) and endurance training (one hour running time trial) three times a week.

The first study tracked endurance (measured by running distance during a timed trial) in 59 young, active women. After 12 weeks of supplementation and training, the PeptEndure group showed a greater increase in running distance — about 361 yards more over the course of an hour — compared to the placebo group.² Additionally, the PeptEndure group experienced a greater increase in fat-free body mass by the end of the trial.

The second study focused on moderately trained male participants. These subjects followed a training program that included 60 minutes of continuous moderate intensity running and 15 minutes of dynamic resistance training three times per week. After 12 weeks, those taking PeptEndure daily showed a statistically significant increase in running distance that amounted to approximately 775 yards more than the placebo group.³ They also demonstrated improvements in velocity at both the lactate threshold and the individual anaerobic threshold, which are both key indicators of endurance.

“The trials showed that participants who took PeptEndure were able to run 14% faster versus baseline and about 6% faster versus control,” added Walter, “which is basically the difference between finishing fifth in a race and finishing first.”

PeptEndure also shows promise for enhancing recovery after exercise.⁴ In a recent study, 55 predominantly sedentary men were recruited to take either 15 grams of PeptEndure or a placebo daily for 12 weeks while participating in 30 minutes each of resistance and endurance training three times a week. The results showed that daily PeptEndure supplementation significantly improved recovery markers, including maximal strength (the heaviest weight one can lift), explosive strength (the speed at which strength is applied, demonstrated in plyometric exercises), and reactive strength (the ability to absorb and produce force, demonstrated in box jumping).

Gelita's research indicates that PeptEndure promotes adaptive changes in mitochondria, often referred to as the body's powerhouse cells responsible for producing energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Preclinical studies demonstrated that after four weeks of supplementation with 200 mg/kg of body weight, there was a noticeable increase in mitochondrial cell density. This increase led to higher ATP production, which provides more energy for activities like running, swimming, biking and overall exercise, allowing for improved performance and endurance.

Formulating for success

Beyond its efficacy, PeptEndure is incredibly user-friendly for manufacturers. It comes as a pure white powder in agglomerated form, ensuring dust-free handling, excellent dissolution properties and easy blending with other nutrients for combination products. It is neutral in taste, non-allergenic, non-GMO, gluten-free and approved by the World Anti-Doping Agency, so athletes can use it with confidence. Additionally, PeptEndure is 100% natural, offering the clean-label qualities health-conscious consumers increasingly demand.

PeptEndure is also a versatile ingredient. It dissolves quickly in water and other drinks without needing a blender, making it ideal for the powders that are already popular in this category. It can also be mixed into foods like yogurt for an easy breakfast boost. Its neutral taste allows for easy flavor customization, and it’s suitable for other popular formats like ready-to-drink beverages, gels and nutrition bars.

“We believe there is a genuine white space for products that help sports people achieve their goals in the long run,” said Walter. “PeptEndure isn’t just another ‘quick fix’ product — it is something different that will allow consumers to see long-term performance benefits.”

References:

1. 2024 NBJ Sports Nutrition and Weight Management Report.

2. Jendricke P et al. “Influence of Specific Collagen Peptides and Concurrent Training on Cardiometabolic Parameters and Performance Indices in Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” Frontiers in Nutrition. 2020; 7.

3. Jerger S et al. “Effects of Specific Bioactive Collagen Peptides in Combination with Concurrent Training on Running Performance and Indicators of Endurance Capacity in Men: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” Sports Medicine - Open. 2023; 9:103.

4. Bischof K et al. “Influence of specific collagen peptides and 12-week concurrent training on recovery-related biomechanical characteristics following exercise-induced muscle damage—A randomized controlled trial.” Frontiers in Nutrition. 2023; doi: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1266056.