Hydrogen-rich water supplementation promotes muscle recovery after two strenuous training sessions performed on the same day in elite fin swimmers
Sládečková B et al. · Front Physiol. 2024;15:1321160.
Study at a glance
Human
Elite fin swimmers: 8 women and 4 men
1,260 mL/day hydrogen-rich water for 3 days before testing and 2,520 mL on the experimental day · 0.9 ppm dissolved H₂; the full protocol reports 2.8 mmol H₂ across 6,300 mL during each intervention period.
Four-day supplementation around two same-day training sessions; 24-hour recovery follow-up; 1-week crossover washout
At 12 hours after the afternoon session, H₂ water was associated with lower creatine kinase (156 ± 63 vs 190 ± 64 U/L; p=0.043), lower soreness (34 ± 12 vs 42 ± 12 mm; p=0.045) and a 0.9 cm higher countermovement jump (p=0.014).
Very small crossover study with multiple outcomes and time points. One author reported work as an external consultant to H2 Global Group; university funding was reported.
What kind of evidence is this?
Human
Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial
Exercise and recovery
H₂-rich water
Information not yet classified
Some editorial classification fields are still pending. The source-reported outcomes and result are shown below; Hydrogenology does not infer a positive or negative signal from prose automatically.
Methods
Elite fin swimmers: 8 women and 4 men
12 participants
Four-day supplementation around two same-day training sessions; 24-hour recovery follow-up; 1-week crossover washout
1,260 mL/day hydrogen-rich water for 3 days before testing and 2,520 mL on the experimental day
H₂ dissolved in water — H₂ only, not Brown’s gas.
0.9 ppm dissolved H₂; the full protocol reports 2.8 mmol H₂ across 6,300 mL during each intervention period.
Matched H₂-free placebo water; 0.0 ppm dissolved H₂
Outcomes and reported result
Countermovement jump, creatine kinase and perceived muscle soreness through 24 hours of recovery
At 12 hours after the afternoon session, H₂ water was associated with lower creatine kinase (156 ± 63 vs 190 ± 64 U/L; p=0.043), lower soreness (34 ± 12 vs 42 ± 12 mm; p=0.045) and a 0.9 cm higher countermovement jump (p=0.014).
Methods, outcome values, trial registration, funding and conflict statements checked in the open-access full text; independent appraisal remains incomplete.
A reported association, difference or mechanism is not automatically a clinical benefit.
Limitations and applicability
Very small crossover study with multiple outcomes and time points. One author reported work as an external consultant to H2 Global Group; university funding was reported.
Elite fin swimmers completing two strenuous training sessions on the same day.
Cochrane RoB 2 crossover variant · 12-hour recovery outcomes
Some concerns — preliminary; independent reviewer pending
Prospective registration, computer-generated sequence and matched placebo are reported, but the sample is very small and multiple recovery outcomes and time points were tested.
Low to some concerns — computer-generated order is reported; concealment details remain limited. · Low concern in the displayed report — matched water, double blinding and a crossover washout are described. · Low concern in the displayed report — all 12 athletes appear in the analyses. · Low to some concerns — jump height and creatine kinase are objective; soreness is subjective. · Some concerns — multiple outcomes and time points; registry-to-report comparison is not yet complete.
No single-study GRADE certainty rating is assigned. Read how records and evidence assessments are prepared.
Sources and record status
PMID: 38681143 · DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1321160
Open-access publisher and PMC full texts are available.
Open-access full text through Europe PMC/PMC, PubMed record and ClinicalTrials.gov registration.
10 August 2026
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