PacificHealth Laboratories (PHLI), producers of the Accelerade sports drink, has begun a soccer sponsorship programme designed to promote the restorative powers of the drink to football players throughout the United States.
It has signed three professional soccer players to endorse the product, including one, Josh Wolff, who is likely to play for the US national team in this year's World Cup championships.
"As professionals, we are always looking for the edge," said Wolff. "Many soccer games are lost late in the game and Accelerade, by improving endurance, helps me play stronger in the second half when I need it most."
Don Kirkendall, a member of the Sports Medicine Physical Fitness & Research Committee for the US Soccer Federation, said that a recently completed study at St. Cloud University had showed that Accelerade reduced fatigue and extended endurance in soccer players.
"Because soccer injuries and mental errors are directly related to fatigue, Accelerade, by helping maintain muscle energy stores can significantly improve soccer performance."
PHLI said that Accelerade had been shown to extend endurance by 24 per cent compared to other sports drinks.