With more mainstream lifestyle consumers buying into the sports nutrition market, products that assist in recovery from exercise are finding an expanded audience. Here are a few examples of ingredients and categories that formulators should consider when developing products in the sports nutrition/recovery market.   Protein & Amino Acids Many experts contend that athletes need more protein, beyond recommended intake levels for the general adult population, in order to promote muscle adaptation during recovery from exercise. Specifically, athletes need help in repairing exercise-induced damage to muscle fibers and replenishing depleted energy stores.   According to the Gatorade Sports Science Institute, heavy resistance exercise increases the rates of both protein synthesis and breakdown in muscle for at least 24 hours after a workout. Unless a protein-containing meal is consumed during recovery, breakdown will exceed synthesis, resulting in the loss of muscle mass.