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What to take before, during and after sport? Sports nutrition guide

 

 

Sports Nutrition Guide · 2026

What to take before,
during and after
sport?

The complete sports nutrition guide for all sports: football, rugby, basketball, running, cycling, crossfit, tennis, swimming, combat sports. Before a match, during effort, after training — here is exactly what pro athletes take to perform and recover.

Find what you
need in 2 min.

The Footboks quiz identifies your sporting profile and recommends the exact products to take before, during and after your sessions.

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Sports nutrition isn't just for Ligue 1 footballers. Whether you're an amateur rugby player, a Sunday runner, a cyclist who grinds through one mountain pass after another, a regional-league basketball player, a crossfitter, a tennis player or a combat sports athlete — what you put into your body before, during and after effort determines your performance, your ability to string sessions together, and the length of your sporting career.

This guide brings together the practical recommendations used by the pro clubs and athletes who trust us, adapted to all levels and all disciplines. No waffle: exact timing, precise products, and the scientific reasons behind each recommendation.

01 / Preparation

Before
the effort

3h → 0h before kick-off

What should you eat before a match or competition?

The goal before a match is threefold: fill your glycogen stores (your muscles' energy), arrive well hydrated, and activate your nervous system so you're ready to explode from the first whistle. This logic applies to any explosive or endurance sport — football, rugby, basketball, handball, athletics, combat sports, running, cycling.

3h before
Meal rich in complex carbohydrates (pasta, rice, sweet potato), lean protein, low in fat and fibre. Hydration with water + electrolytes.
1h before
Light snack: banana, cereal bar, or energy shot. Keep hydrating.
30 min before
Mental boost + caffeine (energy chewing gum, pre-match gel) to activate focus and power.
5 min before
Last drink, last quick-energy shot if needed.

Products to use before sport

👉 See the full BEFORE match collection or the Boost products.

02 / Performance

During
the effort

Keep your level up, avoid cramps

What should you take during a match or a long session?

Beyond 60 minutes of intense effort, your glycogen stores drop and dehydration sets in — that's when performance collapses and cramps appear. This phase is critical in football (90 min + extra time), rugby, tennis (long matches), cycling and trail/long-distance running.

The golden rule: 30 to 60 g of carbohydrate per hour, in the form of gels, sports drinks or shots, combined with sodium intake to replace what you lose in sweat.

Half-time
Carb shot or energy gel + 200-300 ml of water with electrolytes.
Every 30-45 min
(Endurance sports) Carbohydrate gel or shot to maintain blood sugar.
Cramp felt
Anti-cramp shot such as Crampfix: effect in under 60 seconds.

Products to use during effort

👉 See the DURING match collection and the Hydration solutions.

03 / Recovery

After
the effort

The metabolic window: 30 minutes

How do you recover after a match or training session?

Sports recovery is decided in the first 30 minutes after effort — what nutritionists call the "metabolic window". Your muscles are sponges: they absorb everything you give them to rebuild. Missing that window means doubling your recovery time and risking a poor performance in your next session.

Muscle recovery after sport rests on 3 pillars: protein (rebuilding), carbohydrates (replenishing glycogen), hydration (mineral salts lost in sweat). For regular athletes, we add a 4th pillar: mechanical recovery (compression therapy, massage, stretching).

0-30 min
Protein shake (whey isolate) + carbohydrates + water with electrolytes. Collagen shot for the tendons.
1-2h
A proper balanced meal: protein, carbohydrates, vegetables, healthy fats.
Evening
Compression therapy / recovery boots for 20-30 min. Quality sleep, 8 hours.
J+1
Light active recovery, continued hydration, beetroot regen for intensive athletes.

Products to use after sport

04 / Long term

For
training

Building performance over time

Which food supplements for regular training?

The before / during / after products cover one-off performance. But to progress in the long term, build power and endurance, and limit injuries, you need a daily nutritional foundation. These supplements are for any regular athlete who trains at least 3 times a week, whatever the discipline.

💡 Tip: with Create your own box, you put together a tailor-made selection in 3 min based on your sport and your goals — protein, gels, recovery, hydration. The simplest way to try these protocols with the right products from the start.

— Multi-sport —

For all
sports

The before / during / after logic applies to every discipline. Intensity and timing vary — the science stays the same.

Football
Rugby
Basketball
Handball
Running
Cycling
Tennis
Crossfit
Swimming
Combat sports
Futsal
Trail
Triathlon
Volleyball
Weight training

Chosen by the pros.
Accessible to everyone.

Footboks supports dozens of clubs and professional athletes who trust us for their nutrition and recovery — Lilian Brassier (Stade Rennais), Yoane Wissa (Newcastle), Selma Bacha (OL), Auguste Cadot (Montpellier Rugby) among others.

50+
Pro clubs & athletes
15+
Sports covered
100%
Selected brands
3 min
Create your own box

They trust us

— Frequently asked questions —

Sports Nutrition FAQ

What should you take before a match or competition?

Before a match, favour complex carbohydrates 2 to 3 hours before the effort, gradual hydration with electrolytes, and a caffeine boost 20 to 30 minutes before kick-off (energy chewing gums, gels). Avoid foods that are too fatty or too high in fibre just before the effort. This routine applies to football, rugby, basketball and any explosive sport.

What should you take during effort to last 90 minutes or more?

During prolonged effort, taking fast carbohydrates (gels, carb shots) every 30 to 45 minutes maintains performance. Hydrating with electrolyte tablets helps prevent cramps. If a cramp hits, an anti-cramp shot such as Crampfix works in under 60 seconds — a solution approved by pro staff.

How do you recover well after sport?

Optimal recovery combines three elements within 30 minutes of the effort: quality protein (whey, isolate) for muscle rebuilding, carbohydrates to replenish glycogen, and hydration with mineral salts. In the long term, compression therapy boots, collagen and quality sleep speed up muscle and tendon recovery.

Which supplements for training and performance?

For regular training, creatine — notably CreGAAtine, which is better absorbed — increases power and muscular endurance. Whey protein after a session optimises recovery. Marine collagen protects tendons and joints, and is particularly useful for impact sports (football, rugby, basketball, running).

Do these tips apply to all sports?

Yes. The principles of sports nutrition apply to football, rugby, basketball, handball, running, cycling, crossfit, tennis, swimming, combat sports, futsal and any endurance or power sport. Needs vary in intensity and timing depending on the discipline, but the before/during/after logic remains universal.

Are Footboks products suitable for amateur athletes?

Absolutely. Footboks selects products used by professional clubs and top-level athletes who trust us, but accessible to everyone who plays sport: amateurs, semi-pros, beginners. You can also create your personalised box in 3 minutes based on your sport and your goals.

How do I know which products to choose for my profile?

You can take the Footboks quiz in 2 minutes: it recommends products suited to your sport, your level and your goals (performance, recovery, endurance, muscle gain, weight loss).

Are Footboks supplements anti-doping safe?

Key products such as CreGAAtine are Informed Sport® certified, the reference label for professional athletes who have to undergo anti-doping tests. Footboks favours certified brands that are transparent about their composition.

Find what you
need in 2 min.

The Footboks quiz identifies your sporting profile and recommends the exact products to take before, during and after your sessions.

Take the quiz →