Hydrogen-Rich Water as a Performance-Enhancing Aid in National-Level Finswimmers: A Randomized, Double-Blind,...

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Exercise Physiology
• Nutritional Supplementation

Background:

• Clinical trial registration NCT05799911.
• Investigating the effects of hydrogen-rich water (HRW) on athletic performance.
• Assessing physiological and perceptual responses to HRW in athletes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if 4-day HRW intake enhances finswimming performance.
• To evaluate HRW's impact on blood lactate, rating of perceived exertion, and oxidative stress.
• To analyze HRW's effects on both sprint and middle-distance swimming.

Main Methods:

• 12 participants (8 female, 4 male) underwent a crossover trial with HRW or placebo.
• Intervention involved 3 days of HRW/placebo followed by a testing session.
• Testing included 3 sets of 4x50m sprints and a 400m time trial, with physiological measures taken.
• Oxidative stress markers (plasma protein carbonyls) were also assessed.

Main Results:

• HRW did not significantly improve 50m sprint times (0.5% increase, P=.12).
• A significant 0.6% improvement was observed in the 400m time trial with HRW (P=.003).
• No significant differences were found between HRW and placebo for blood lactate, perceived exertion, or oxidative stress markers.

Conclusions:

• Short-term HRW supplementation offers a modest but meaningful performance enhancement in middle-distance finswimming.
• HRW's effects on repeated sprint performance, blood lactate, perceived exertion, and oxidative stress appear limited.
• Further research may be needed to explore optimal HRW dosage and duration for athletic benefits.