Hydrogen-rich water supplementation promotes muscle recovery after two strenuous training sessions performed on the same day in elite fin swimmers: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial.
Barbora Sládečková, Michal Botek, Jakub Krejčí, Michal Valenta, Andrew McKune, Filip Neuls, Iva Klimešová · Frontiers in physiology · 2024
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Independent study record
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H2HUBB TAKEAWAY
In 8 participants, HRW decreased CK at all times compared to placebo, but a statistically significant decrease was found only 12 h after AS (HRW: 156 ± 63 U.L −1, placebo: 190 ± 64 U.L −1, p = 0.043, d = −0.53, small effect). These findings add human evidence supporting molecular hydrogen's therapeutic potential to influence exercise performance and recovery.
What the Findings Mean
H2HUBB reviewed how hydrogen-rich water affected the outcomes measured in 8 participants. HRW decreased CK at all times compared to placebo, but a statistically significant decrease was found only 12 h after AS (HRW: 156 ± 63 U.L −1, placebo: 190 ± 64 U.L −1, p = 0.043, d = −0.53, small effect).
What the Researchers Studied
The researchers studied 8 participants. The study used a placebo-controlled human clinical trial. The comparison condition was placebo.
What Effects Did Molecular Hydrogen Have?
Source-reported hydrogen concentration: 0.0 mg/L H₂; Source-reported hydrogen exposure: 260 mL hydrogen-rich water per reported dose; approximately 0 mg H₂ per reported serving; H2HUBB calculated daily H₂ dose: approximately 52.41 mg H₂/day, calculated from the source-reported dissolved H₂ concentration and total hydrogen-water volume consumed per day. HRW decreased CK at all times compared to placebo, but a statistically significant decrease was found only 12 h after AS (HRW: 156 ± 63 U.L −1, placebo: 190 ± 64 U.L −1, p = 0.043, d = −0.53, small effect). The authors concluded that four days of HRW supplementation is a promising hydration strategy for promoting muscle recovery after two strenuous training sessions performed on the same day in elite fin swimmers. Molecular hydrogen has been shown to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, ergogenic, and recovery-enhancing effects. These findings led the authors to suggest that hydrogen-rich gas inhalation during the post-exercise recovery period might improve neuromuscular performance via reducing systemic oxidative damage.
Why These Findings Matter
These findings add human evidence supporting molecular hydrogen's therapeutic potential to influence exercise performance and recovery and contribute to the growing body of molecular-hydrogen research.
How Strong Is This Evidence?
This is human clinical evidence from a placebo-controlled human clinical trial. H2HUBB interprets the findings in the context of the study design, sample, comparator, and measured outcomes rather than using one publication as a verdict on hydrogen therapy.
Technical Study Details
H2HUBB classifies this publication as human clinical study with human clinical evidence. The research population or model was 8 participants. The reported sample size was 8. The study used a placebo-controlled human clinical trial. The hydrogen delivery method was hydrogen-rich water. The source-reported hydrogen concentration was 0.0 mg/L H₂. The source-reported hydrogen exposure was 260 mL hydrogen-rich water per reported dose; approximately 0 mg H₂ per reported serving. This is a deterministic dose translation, not a separately measured value.
Limitations and Safety
Reported limitations: Characteristics between females and males were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test due to the small sample size of the male group. From practical standpoint, the limited ability to control the adherence of elite athletes to follow all instructions regarding the daily regimen (dietary regimen, sleeping habits, and prescribed amount of tap water) within the study could be seen as a limitation. not controlling for the potential effect of the menstrual cycle phase during experiment on the primary outcomes could be also considered a limitation.
Original Study and H2HUBB Research Context
H2HUBB presents this source-grounded research record as one contribution to the broader molecular-hydrogen evidence base.