# Molecular Hydrogen Mitigates Performance Decrement during Repeated Sprints in Professional Soccer Players.
> 水素水摂取がプロサッカー選手の反復スプリントパフォーマンス低下を軽減する無作為化クロスオーバー試験


## Abstract

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study examined whether pre-exercise hydrogen-rich water (HRW) intake influences repeated sprint performance in 16 professional male soccer players (mean age 18.8 ± 1.2 years). Participants completed two indoor sessions consisting of 15 × 30 m track sprints with 20-second recovery intervals, separated by a one-week washout. Sprint times were recorded at 15 m and 30 m. Compared with placebo, HRW consumption was associated with significantly faster times at 15 m during the 14th and 15th sprints (improvements of 3.4% and 2.7%, respectively) and at 30 m during the final sprint (1.9% improvement). Blood lactate concentrations and ratings of perceived exertion did not differ significantly between conditions. These findings indicate that HRW intake before exercise may help attenuate performance decline in the later stages of high-intensity repeated sprint activity.

### Mechanism

HRW is proposed to selectively scavenge reactive oxygen species generated during high-intensity exercise, thereby reducing oxidative stress-related muscle fatigue accumulation and supporting performance maintenance in later sprint repetitions.

## Bibliographic

- **Authors**: Botek M, Khanna D, Krejčí J, Valenta M, McKune A, Sládečková B, et al.
- **Journal**: Nutrients
- **Year**: 2022 (2022-01-25)
- **PMID**: [35276867](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35276867/)
- **DOI**: [10.3390/nu14030508](https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14030508)
- **PMC**: [PMC8838970](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8838970/)
- **Study type**: human randomized controlled trial
- **Delivery route**: hydrogen-rich water
- **Effect reported**: mixed

## Delivery context

Hydrogen-rich water is a low-risk delivery route, but the achievable systemic hydrogen dose is bounded. For clinical applications, inhalation is the most efficient route; inhalation, however, carries explosion risk, and concentration matters (empirical LFL of 10% applies to inhalation environments; high-concentration devices are documented in the Consumer Affairs Agency accident database and are not recommended).

## Safety notes

Hydrogen-rich water is a low-risk delivery route, but the achievable systemic hydrogen dose is bounded. For clinical applications, inhalation is the most efficient route; inhalation, however, carries explosion risk, and concentration matters (empirical LFL of 10% applies to inhalation environments; high-concentration devices are documented in the Consumer Affairs Agency accident database and are not recommended).

See also:
- [Inhalation concentration and LFL / UFL](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/inhalation-concentration)
- [Consumer Affairs Agency accident cases](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/accident-cases)
- [Inhalation safety threshold lineage](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/lineage)

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> **Cite as**: H2 Papers — PMID 35276867. https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/35276867
> **Source**: PubMed PMID [35276867](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35276867/)