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Purpose: Hydrogen-rich water (HRW) has been shown to have an antifatigue effect. This study assessed up-hill running performance, as well as physiological and perceptual responses after supplementation with 1680 mL HRW between 24 h and 40 min before running, in athletes of heterogeneous running ability. Methods: Sixteen males (mean [SD] age 31.6 [8.6] y, VO2max 57.2 [8.9] mL·kg−1·min−1, body fat 13.4% [4.4%]) participated in this study. Using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design, participants consumed either HRW or placebo prior to performing two 4.2-km up-hill races separated by a week. Race time (RT), average race heart rate, and immediately postrace rating of perceived exertion were assessed. Results: After analysis of data for all runners, HRW effect was unclear (−10 to 7 s, 90% confidence interval) for RT, likely trivial for heart rate (−2 to 3 beats·min−1), and likely trivial for postrace rating of perceived exertion (−0.1 to 1.0). A possible negative correlation was found between RT differences and average RT (r = −.79 to −.15). HRW for the 4 slowest runners (RT = 1490 [91] s) likely improved the RT (−36 to −3 s), whereas for the 4 fastest runners (RT = 1069 [53] s) the performance effect of HRW was unclear (−10 to 26 s). Conclusions: HRW intake had an unclear antifatigue effect on performance in terms of mean group values. However, it appears that the magnitude of the antifatigue effect of HRW on performance depends on individual running ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Botek, M, Krejčí, J, McKune, A, Valenta, M, and Sládečková, B. Hydrogen rich water consumption positively affects muscle performance, lactate response, and alleviates delayed onset of muscle soreness after resistance training. J Strength Cond Res 36(10): 2792–2799, 2022—Positive outcomes of hydrogen rich water (HRW) supplementation on endurance performance have been shown, but the effects of HRW in resistance training are unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of 1,260 ml of HRW intake on physiological, perceptual, and performance responses to a resistance training and after 24 hours of recovery. This randomized, double-blinded placebo-controlled cross-over study included 12 men aged 23.8 ± 1.9 years. Subjects performed a half squat, knee flexion, and extension exercises with the load set at 70% of 1 repetition maximum for 3 sets (10 reps/set). Lunges were performed with a load of 30% of body mass for 3 sets (20 reps/set). Time of each set, lactate, and ratings of perceived exertion were assessed mid-way through exercise and immediately after the exercise. Creatine kinase, muscle soreness visual analog scale ratings, countermovement jump, and heart rate variability were evaluated before the training and at 30 minutes, 6, and 24 hours of recovery. Lunges were performed faster with HRW compared with placebo (p < 0.001). Hydrogen rich water reduced lactate at mid-way and immediately after the exercise (HRW: 5.3 ± 2.1 and 5.1 ± 2.2, placebo: 6.5 ± 1.8 and 6.3 ± 2.2 mmol·L−1, p ≤ 0.008). Visual analog scale ratings were significantly lower with HRW (26 ± 11 vs. 41 ± 20 mm, p = 0.002) after 24 hours of recovery. In conclusion, an acute intermittent HRW hydration improved muscle function, reduced the lactate response, and alleviated delayed onset of muscle soreness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backround: High performance is also associated with specific ranges in somatic parameters depending on the sporting discipline. The development and maintenance of these parameters is supported primarily by the conditioning sessions players are exposed to across the various phases of the season. Objective: The aim of the study was to monitor the changes in the body composition of an entire team of elite players during a conditioning program. Method: The study included a total of 25 elite, Czech Republic, premier league (ELH) ice hockey players (24.6±5.0 years). The measured parameters included the following: body mass (BM), body fat (BF), fat free mass (FFM) and segmental analysis BF. These parameters were measured at the beginning and at the end of specific phases of the conditioning program, with four measurements taken in total. Results: Compared with the pre conditioning phase measurement, percentage of body fat decreased by 1.8 to 2.3 % (p<.05, η2=.06) during the conditioning phase which was analyzer dependent. Extracellular mass decreased by 2 kg (p<.05, η2=.04), while there was a 2.9 kg (p<.05, η2=.14) increase in intracellular mass. There were also changes in the segmental distribution of body fat, with a decrease of 1.4 to 1.9% (p<.05, η2 =.07) in the lower limbs and a decrease of 2.9% (p<.05, η2=.07) in the trunk. No changes were observed in the upper limbs. Conclusion: These results indicate that the conditioning program had a positive effect on the somatic parameters in the players. There was a decrease in fat mass and increase in muscle mass, which creates another precondition for further development of the strength performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]