T4G is the first pre-game sports drink specifically developed for youth athletes. What makes it better than existing sports drinks? Three simple reasons.

First, unlike existing sports drinks, which take a "one size fits all" approach, the ingredient levels in T4G were specifically calibrated for youth athletes based on the most recent research on nutrition and sports performance.

Second, existing sports drinks are generally designed to be consumed after a sporting event. A better name for these drinks would be sports recovery drinks. Unlike T4G, existing sports drinks are not designed to be consumed before a sporting event and are not designed to improve performance. This is obvious based on the size of these drinks--most come in 20 ounces bottles. Drinking this much fluid and ingesting the carbohydrates included in that volume of fluid before a game can cause an upset stomach and hurt athletic performance. T4G comes in a small size (2 ounces) so that it can be consumed right before a game without having any negative impact on a player's performance.

Third, existing sports drinks are one dimensional, relying primarily on carbohydrates and electrolytes. While these are important aspects of sports performance, and are included in T4G, research has shown that other vitamins can also improve performance. For example, set forth below are some of the ingredients of T4G that are generally not included in other sports drinks and a brief discussion of their benefits.

Vitamin D

In one study of sprinters, those that received supplemental Vitamin D improved their sprint times by 7.4 percent, as contrasted with a mere 1.7% increase in the control group. And in another study, researchers tested the vertical jumping ability of a group of adolescent athletes, and found that those who had the lowest levels of Vitamin D tended not to jump as high, indicating that too little Vitamin D may impair muscle power. In addition, research shows that low levels may contribute to sports injuries, in part because Vitamin D is so important for bone and muscle health.

B Vitamins

In a study published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, Oregon State University researchers found that athletes who lack B-vitamins have reduced high-intensity exercise performance and are less able to repair damaged muscles or build muscle mass than their peers who eat a diet rich with B-vitamins. Other research has shown that Vitamin B3 (niacin) is a key part of the process by which energy is released from carbohydrates, fats, and protein, and thus is crucial for athletic performance and avoiding the fatigue associated with intense physical exercise. Vitamin B6 helps increase response times and mental acuity—key components of athletic performance. Vitamin B6 is also an essential component of enzymes that metabolize proteins and fats in the body to maximize energy. A May 2010 study published in the Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine found that Vitamin B9 (folate) increased the vascular performance of young female runners. Other B vitamins have been shown to raise energy levels, combat fatigue, and improve mental functioning--all key components of athletic performance.

Choline

Choline is recognized as an essential nutrient by the Institute of Medicine. Randomized placebo-controlled crossover studies have found improvements in running and swimming speed associated with pre-exercise choline supplementation. Choline has also been proven to improve athletic performance and increase time to fatigue. Interestingly, in a 2009 article from the journal Nutrition Reviews, Dr. Steven Zeisel from the University of North Carolina found that mean choline intake for a significant portion of the population was far below the Adequate Intake established by the IOM. Thus, there is a need for choline supplementation, particularly given its significant benefits.

Amino Acids

T4G includes taurine and L-theanine--both amino acids demonstrated to improve athletic performance. A study published in the March 2004 issue of the journal Amino Acids found significant improvements in athletic performance following taurine supplementation (normally found meat and fish), including increased maximal workload and time to exhaustion. L-theanine is an amino acid commonly found in green tea that enhances the ability to learn, and to remember. It also increases concentration and focus. At the same time, L-theanine reduces stress and anxiety without causing drowsiness. In short, L-theanine allows athletes under the pressure of competition to be more relaxed and to make better decisions.