Molecular Hydrogen Mitigates Performance Decrement during Repeated Sprints in Professional Soccer Players

Abstract

Hydrogen-rich water (HRW) supplementation has been shown to have an antifatigue effect across different modes of exercise. However, its effect on repeated sprint performance is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of pre-exercise HRW consumption on repeated sprint performance, lactate, and perceptual responses using a repeated sprint protocol. This randomized, double blinded, placebo controlled, crossover study included 16 professional, male soccer players aged 18.8 ± 1.2 years. Athletes performed two indoor tests, particularly 15 × 30 m track sprints interspersed by 20 s of recovery, separated by a 1-week washout period. Sprint time was measured at 15 m and 30 m. Ratings of perceived exertion were assessed immediately after each sprint, and post-exercise blood lactate concentration was measured after the last sprint. There were significantly faster sprint times after HRW consumption compared with placebo at 15 m for the 14th and 15th sprints, representing improvements in time of 3.4% and 2.7%, respectively. Sprint time at 30 m also significantly improved by 1.9% in the HRW group in the last sprint. However, neither lactate concentrations nor ratings of perceived exertion were significantly different between HRW and placebo. Pre-exercise HRW supplementation is associated with an increased ability to reduce fatigue, especially during the later stages of repeated sprint exercise.

Molecular Hydrogen Positively Affects Physical and Respiratory Function in Acute Post-COVID-19 Patients: A New Perspective in Rehabilitation

“…Hence, we suggest that 2 weeks of daily H 2 inhalation resulted in a clinically relevant improvement in physical function in our cohort of acute post-COVID-19 patients. From an improved physical fitness standpoint, the antifatigue effect of H 2 demonstrated in the present study has already been documented in other studies examining different modes of exercise in a healthy population [ 26 , 27 ], well-trained athletes [ 25 , 45 , 59 ], and animal models [ 24 ]. The antifatigue effect of H 2 supplementation was explained by its ability to stimulate oxidative metabolism, reduce oxidative stress, adjust the cellular redox environment and improve immune function.…”

“…In general, rehabilitation after COVID-19 ranged from 5 days to 6 months [ 44 ]. In sports medicine, the duration of H 2 administration prior to exercise ranged from 30 min to 4 weeks [ 45 ]. Therefore, we chose a 14-day H 2 /placebo intervention as a compromise to keep the duration long enough to reveal a detectable effect on physical and respiratory outcomes, yet acceptably short for study compliance.…”

Effects of carbohydrate-electrolyte dissolved alkaline electrolyzed water on physiological responses during exercise under heat stress in physically active men

“…Our recent study reported that the ingestion of high concentrations of H 2 in saturated water (approximately 5.0 ppm) attenuated the reduction in systemic antioxidant capacity after three consecutive days of sprint cycling exercise ( Dobashi et al, 2020 ). Moreover, H 2 concentrations of approximately 1.0 ppm improved muscular performance in a previous study ( Aoki et al, 2012 ; Botek et al, 2021 , 2022 ). Since there is no clearly defined dose-response curve of H 2 to induce physiological changes ( Ostojic, 2015 ), it is uncertain whether an H 2 concentration of 0.3 ppm is enough to improve various exercise performances and redox responses.…”

“…Our previous studies demonstrated that H 2 attenuated the intensive exercise-induced elevation in oxidative damage or the reduction in antioxidant capacity in humans ( Koyama et al, 2008 ; Dobashi et al, 2020 ; Shibayama et al, 2020 ) and thoroughbred horses ( Yamazaki et al, 2015 ). Moreover, H 2 -rich water improved muscle fatigue ( Aoki et al, 2012 ; Botek et al, 2021 , 2022 ) and attenuated an increase in blood lactate concentrations during exercise ( Drid et al, 2016 ; Botek et al, 2019 , 2021 ; Mikami et al, 2019 ), as well as inflammatory responses ( Ara et al, 2018 ; Nogueira et al, 2018 , 2021 ). Furthermore, a recent study reported that AEW ingestion improved energy expenditure during submaximal endurance cycling in a heated environment ( Ito et al, 2020 ).…”

Coral Hydrate, a Novel Antioxidant, Improves Alcohol Intoxication in Mice

“…Furthermore, dissolving hydrogen in haemodialysis solutions can decrease plasma concentrations of pro-inflammatory factors in haemodialysis patients [ 11 ]. Intake of hydrogenated water prior to exercise was also reported to reduce fatigue [ 12 ]. Although numerous studies have illustrated the beneficial effects of hydrogenated water in human health, the instability of its redox status and difficulties in quantifying the levels of dissolved hydrogen in water have limited its application.…”