Key Takeaways
- Some teenage athletes receive intramuscular injections of B-vitamins (often vitamin B12 or a B-complex) before games, aiming to boost energy or performance.
- For a 16-year-old athlete who eats well and has no diagnosed deficiency, skipping such injections is very unlikely to negatively affect health or performance.
- Using repeated muscle injections without a clear medical reason carries avoidable risks, such as infection or an abscess forming under the skin.
- Focusing on good nutrition, proper hydration, sufficient sleep and consistent training is a more effective and safer strategy.
The Incident
A 16-year-old American-football player receives a vitamin B injection into one gluteal muscle (buttock) before every match. The key questions raised: Why is this done? What happens if the injection is omitted? Is it appropriate for his age?
Purpose of the Injection
The logic is that vitamins in the B group—particularly vitamin B12 (also known as cobalamin)—play a role in forming red blood cells, supporting nerve function and helping metabolism. In theory, then, injecting vitamin B12 might enhance oxygen delivery to muscles and improve stamina.
However, research indicates that in athletes with already acceptable vitamin B12 levels, additional supplementation or injections do not lead to meaningful performance gains. A study found that once blood B12 levels exceed about 700 pg/mL, further increases did not correlate with higher haemoglobin (oxygen-carrying blood protein) levels. (This study also found that 34 % of athletes reported using injections.)
Another controlled trial found no meaningful difference in physical performance between subjects receiving vitamin B12 injections versus a placebo.
The bottom line: Unless a deficiency is present, injections provide little proven benefit.
What if the Injection is Skipped?
If an adolescent athlete eats a balanced diet (including meat, eggs, dairy or fortified alternatives if vegetarian/vegan), has no absorption disorder and has no blood test showing deficiency, then omitting the injection should not reduce performance or harm health. Excess B-vitamins (which are water-soluble, like B12) are typically excreted in urine when above need.
So, for a well-nourished teen, skipping the shot is unlikely to cause any decline.
Is it Appropriate at Age Sixteen?
At 16 years, bodies are still growing and adapting to sport, recovery and nutrition. Using injections routinely without a clear medical indication raises several concerns:
- If diet and nutrient levels are sufficient, the injection may add essentially nothing.
- Every injection is a medical procedure with possible complications (see next section).
- Relying on injections could create a mindset where an athlete believes he needs a shot to perform—reducing confidence in normal preparation.
- A wiser focus is on basics: nutrition, sleep, training and recovery, with testing only if symptoms or blood work indicate a deficiency.
What is an Abscess and Why It Matters?
An abscess is a localized collection of pus beneath the skin caused by bacterial infection; it often happens when bacteria enter tissue through a skin breach like an injection. It shows up as a red, warm, swollen, painful lump that may grow and require drainage.
Repeated muscle injections (especially in the same spot) or injections given without strict hygiene standards increase the risk of abscess formation. For a teenager undergoing many matches and physical stress, an abscess can delay training, cause pain, require medical care and leave tissue changes.
Smarter Alternatives for Pre-Game Energy
Rather than relying on injections when healthy, a teen athlete can support energy and endurance by:
- Eating nutrient-rich meals: whole grains, lean protein, dairy or alternatives, fruits and vegetables.
- Staying well hydrated before and during the game.
- Getting 8–9 hours of sleep per night to allow muscle and mind recovery.
- Following a sport-specific training regime, combined with warm-ups and recovery routines.
- Using medical or nutritional check-ups when fatigue or performance drops raise suspicion of a deficiency—then use blood tests rather than blanket shots.
Final Reflections
For a 16-year-old athlete who is well-nourished, healthy and has no diagnosed vitamin B deficiency, getting a vitamin B injection before every match is not supported by evidence, offers very limited benefit and introduces unnecessary risks. Skipping that shot—while maintaining good diet, rest and training—should not impair performance. The real strength lies in consistency, nutrition and recovery, not in injections without medical indication.
Sources
- Vitamin B12 Status and Optimal Range for Hemoglobin Formation in Athletes – PMC/NCBI.
- Mayo Clinic – “Vitamin B-12 (cobalamin)”.
- The Sports Pharmacist – “Vitamin B12 for athletic performance”.
- YouTube – “How to manage abscess & swelling at injection site” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ejbs_7ZhYa4
- YouTube – “Intramuscular Injection Abscess” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkmmzmxHqLk
Quick Explanations
Abscess
A spot under the skin filled with pus caused by an infection, often at an injection site. The term comes from Latin and is widely recognised in medicine as a localized purulent (pus-filled) infection.
Intramuscular injection
A method of administering a substance deep into a muscle so the body absorbs it quickly. While common, it involves piercing skin and tissue and must follow strict hygiene; it carries potential risks like abscess, nerve injury or infection.
Gluteal muscle (buttock)
The large muscle in the rear where injections are often administered; care should be taken to rotate injection sites and follow safe technique.
My Diary - Leonardo Cardillo 