The aim of this randomized, double blinded, placebo controlled cross-over study is to evaluate the effect of hydrogen rich water intake on running performance, physiological and biochemical variables during endurance exercise and following recovery in endurance-untrained men.
This study involves 16 endurance-untrained men aged 18-30 years. All participants drink hydrogen rich water (HRW) or placebo during the two days before the experiment (total volume 2100 ml) and during the testing day (total volume 1680 ml). All participants undergo one laboratory session (entry diagnostic) and two experimental sessions in the field with a washout period of 7 days. In the two experimental sessions, participants receive HRW or placebo in a randomized order. Each experimental session consisted of a pre-exercise phase, an exercise phase (5 km run), and a 24 h passive recovery phase. The following variables are assessed: running times (5 km distance and 200 m laps), heart rate, rating of perceived exertion, blood lactate, reactive strength index, subjective perceived muscle soreness, protein carbonyl content, malondialdehyde content, heart rate variability. Statistical analysis is based on analysis of variance for repeated measures with the factors water (HRW and placebo), time, and interaction. Fisher´s post hoc tests is used for pairwise comparison. The significance level is set at 0.05.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
16
Hydrogen-rich water with molecular hydrogen concentration 0.9 ppm.
Tap water with molecular hydrogen concentration 0.0 ppm.
Palacky University, Faculty of Physical Culture
Olomouc, Czechia
Run time
The 5 km run is performed on a 200 m long indoor track. The running time (total time and laps times) of each runner is measured by one qualified timekeeper, which does not change between trials. The time is measured to the nearest 0.1 s with manual stopwatch.
Time frame: Change between values before and after 7 days of crossover.
Heart rate during running
Heart rate during the 5 km run is continuously recorded using a heart rate monitor (Polar Team Coach, Polar, Kempele, Finland).
Time frame: Change between values before and after 7 days of crossover.
Rating of perceived exertion
The subject is asked to score subjective rating of perceived exertion using the scale developed by Borg. All subjects are familiar with the Borg scale before testing. We use the scale ranging from 6 (no exertion at all) to 20 (maximal exertion). The rating of perceived exertion is scored immediately after the run.
Time frame: Change between values before and after 7 days of crossover.
Blood lactate
Blood lactate concentration is evaluated based on blood samples taken from the fingertip. An alcohol wipe is used to clean the fingertip and the skin is punctured with a lancet. The first drop is wiped away and the second drop is used. Lactate Scout+ analyzer (EKF Diagnostics, Cardiff, United Kingdom) is used for lactate sampling. Blood lactate is evaluated after the run.
Time frame: Change between values before and after 7 days of crossover.
Reactive strength index
Reactive strength index is determined in a 5 maximum hop test performed on a mobile force platform (FP8, HUR Labs, Tampere, Finland). Each subject is instructed to maximize the jump height and minimize the ground contact time. The first hop served as a countermovement jump and is excluded from the analysis. The remaining 4 hops are averaged and reported as the outcome. The reactive strength index is determined before and after the run, 1 h and 4 h after the run.
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Time frame: Change between values before and after 7 days of crossover.
Subjective perceived muscle soreness
Visual analogue scale (VAS) is used to assess lower limb muscle soreness. The VAS scale is a 100 mm long line marked with the numbers 0 (no pain) and 100 (worst imaginable pain). The VAS is assessed immediately, 1 h, 4h, and 24 h after the run.
Time frame: Change between values before and after 7 days of crossover.
Protein carbonyls
Protein carbonyls are detected from vein blood sample which is taken from the inside of the elbow by a healthcare specialist. The blood is taken into heparinized vacuum tubes. These is then centrifugated at 1000 g. Subsequently, the blood plasma is separated into cryotubes and frozen at -80 °C until biochemical analysis. Protein carbonyls concentration is determined by ELISA method in accordance with the manufacturer´s manual (Protein Carbonyl Content Assay Kit MAK094, Sigma-Aldrich, Saint Louis, USA). Protein carbonyls are sampled before and after the run, 1 h and 4 h after the run.
Time frame: Change between values before and after 7 days of crossover.
Malondialdehydes
Malondialdehydes are detected from vein blood sample which is taken from the inside of the elbow by a healthcare specialist. The blood is taken into heparinized vacuum tubes. These is then centrifugated at 1000 g. Subsequently, the blood plasma is separated into cryotubes and frozen at -80 °C until biochemical analysis. The concentration of malondialdehydes in plasma samples as lipid peroxidation products is determined using the Lipid Peroxidation Assay Kit MAK085 (Sigma-Aldrich, Saint Louis, USA) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Malondialdehydes are sampled before and after the run, 1 h and 4 h after the run.
Time frame: Change between values before and after 7 days of crossover.
Heart rate variability - heart rate
Heart rate (HR) is measured using the DiANS PF8 ECG device (DIMEA Group, Olomouc, Czech Republic). ECG sampling is performed during an orthoclinostatic maneuver in a calm room without acoustic and visual disturbances. HR is measured before and after the run, 1h and 4h after the run.
Time frame: Change between values before and after 7 days of crossover.
Heart rate variability - RMSSD
Root mean square successive difference of RR intervals (RMSSD) is measured using the DiANS PF8 ECG device (DIMEA Group, Olomouc, Czech Republic). ECG sampling is performed during an orthoclinostatic maneuver in a calm room without acoustic and visual disturbances. RMSSD is measured before and after the run, 1h and 4h after the run.
Time frame: Change between values before and after 7 days of crossover.
Heart rate variability - SDNN
Standard deviation of RR intervals (SDNN) is measured using the DiANS PF8 ECG device (DIMEA Group, Olomouc, Czech Republic). ECG sampling is performed during an orthoclinostatic maneuver in a calm room without acoustic and visual disturbances. SDNN is measured before and after the run, 1h and 4h after the run.
Time frame: Change between values before and after 7 days of crossover.
Heart rate variability - LF/HF
Ratio of low-frequency to high-frequency power (LF/HF) is measured using the DiANS PF8 ECG device (DIMEA Group, Olomouc, Czech Republic). ECG sampling is performed during an orthoclinostatic maneuver in a calm room without acoustic and visual disturbances. LF/HF is measured before and after the run, 1h and 4h after the run.
Time frame: Change between values before and after 7 days of crossover.