Preliminary findings from the same cross-sectional study show atypical markers such as elevated muscle biomarkers, abnormal lactic acid, and high perceived exertion among participants, underscoring safety concerns around unsupervised supplement use.

The study will monitor physiological and psychological markers—such as muscle damage, serum electrolytes, hydration, recovery heart rate, and stress—in real-world training within India's tropical climate to better reflect on-field performance.

A multi-center field study funded by the Department of Health Research surveys 473 athletes aged 15-18 across nine National Centres of Excellence, finding that 91% exhibit at least one adverse indicator and 54% report supplement use, often without age-specific guidance.

Experts acknowledge that carbohydrate-electrolyte drinks can aid hydration and energy balance and align with IOC and AIS guidance, but caution that adolescent-specific data remains limited.

While there may be benefits to carbohydrate-electrolyte drinks for youths, experts emphasize the need for robust adolescent-focused data to inform usage.

By observing these markers in real training environments under hot and humid Indian conditions, researchers aim to bridge science and on-field performance.

The project seeks to generate robust evidence on hydration and recovery strategies to inform national guidelines and reduce risks from unsafe or unregulated supplement use among youths.

The findings highlight the vulnerability of adolescents to contaminated products and the urgency of guidance and regulation.

India launches a first-of-its-kind multidisciplinary study led by the Sports Authority of India and ICMR-NIN to develop evidence-based supplement guidelines for adolescent athletes.

This interdisciplinary effort brings together nutrition, physiology, biochemistry, coaching, and recovery sciences to develop youth-focused guidelines for safe hydration and recovery.

There is rising concern about supplement safety for youths, with data suggesting up to 28% of Indian supplements may be contaminated and adolescents being particularly vulnerable due to development and unsupervised use.

This nationwide, multi-centric initiative aims to establish data-driven guidelines to safeguard young athletes in the context of supplement use.