Studies Referencing Hydrogen and Exercise/Sport

Database:

Primary Topic: Any

Secondary Topic: Diving/Exercise

Tertiary Topic: Fatigue/High-Pressure Nervous Syndrome (HPNS)/Performance Enhancement/Soreness/Sprain (or Any)

Performance Enhancement

● Hydrogen has shown promise as an ergogenic by increasing power output (1166: Dong et al 2022), speed (2: Botek et al 2021; 199: Javorac et al 2019; 1143: Botek et al 2022) (particularly for lower-fit individuals (49: Botek et al 2020)), increasing aerobic (66: Hori et al 2020; 67: Hori et al 2020; 161: Botek et al 2019; 221: Mikami et al 2019; 1034: LeBaron, Kharman, and McCullough 2021; 1044: Ostojic et al 2018) and anaerobic (274: Chycki et al 2018; 305: Kurylas et al 2018; 1029: Timon et al 2021; 1034: LeBaron, Kharman, and McCullough 2021) capacity, lowering heart rate (211: LeBaron et al 2019; 71: Ito, Kabayama, and Goto 2020; 866: Ostojic et al 2011), reducing decline of muscle function (275: Da Ponte et al 2018; 759: Aoki et al 2012), improving blood flow (1034: LeBaron, Kharman, and McCullough 2021), enhancing cognition (1034: LeBaron, Kharman, and McCullough 2021), improving hydration (relative to regular water) (274: Chycki et al 2018; 305: Kurylas et al 2018; 526: Weidman et al 2016; 777: Kato et al 2012), and maintaining bodily redox potential (59: Dobashi, Takeuchi, and Koyama 2020; 431: Sun and Sun 2017; 1045: Shibayama et al 2017).

● Hydrogen has been shown to be more effective than Vitamin C at reducing muscle oxidation while maintaining mitochondrial function (1111: Li et al 2021).

Weight Loss

● Hydrogen has been shown to both ameliorate weight gain (98: Liu et al 2020; 298: Jackson et al 2018; 486: Hou et al 2016; 34: Xiao and Miwa 2021; 454: Yoneda et al 2017; 704: Ignacio et al 2013; 705: Iio et al 2013; 971: Jin et al 2006; 843: Kamimura et al 2011) and intensify weight loss (259: Zhao et al 2019; 303: Korovljev et al 2018; 158: Asada, Saitoh, and Miwa 2019), including specifically abdominal (98: Liu et al 2020; 91: LeBaron et al 2020; 517: Shin et al 2016) and arm (303: Korovljev et al 2018) fat.

Fatigue and Recovery

● Hydrogen was been shown to reduce lactic acid build up (2: Botek et al 2021; 108: Moraadi et al 2020; 161: Botek et al 2019; 264: Ara et al 2018; 274: Chycki et al 2018; 305: Kurylas et al 2018; 367: Ahmed et al 2017; 474: Drid et al 2016; 759: Aoki et al 2012; 866: Ostojic et al 2011; 658: Ostojic and Stojanovic 2014) muscle soreness (2: Botek et al 2021; 131: Todorovic et al 2020; 494: Kawamura et al 2016), ratings of perceived exertion (161: Borek et al 2019; 221: Mikami et al 2019), and decrease in countermovement jump height (1175: Shibayama et al 2020).

Sports Injury

● Hydrogen has been shown reduce pain and swelling, and improve range of motion, after ankle (72: Javorac et al 2020; 73: Javorac, Stajer, and Ostojic 2020) and toe (1081: Tarnava 2021) sprain.

● Hydrogen has been shown to reduce swelling and blood viscosity after muscle and tendon strain (659: Ostojic, Stojanovic, and Hoffman 2014).

● Hydrogen has been shown to reduce blood viscosity and improve range of motion after soft tissue injury (660: Ostojic et al 2014).

Diving

● Hydrogen can protect divers from the deleterious effects of Decompression Sickness (862: Ni et al 2011; 1002: Fahlman 2000), High-Pressure Nervous Syndrome (1023: Abraini et al 1994; 1118: Cortan and Delauze 1986), hyperoxia (927: Zheng et al 2010; 315: Lu et al 2018; 347: Wu et al 2018; 746: Yao et al 2013; 368: Audi et al 2017; 709: Kawamura et al 2013; 872: Sun et al 2011), and drowning (473: Diao et al 2016).

Mode of Action

● Hydrogen shows multiple modes of action including quenching cellular ROS (862: Ni et al 2011; 59: Dobashi, Takeuchi, and Koyama 2020; 222: Sha et al 2019; 325: Nogueira et al 2018; 336: Shin et al 2018; 431: Sun and Sun 2017; 603: Yamazaki et al 2015; 736: Tsubone et al 2013; 780: Kim and Lim 2012; 746: Yao et al 2013; 368: Audi et al 2017; 872: Sun et al 2011; 473: Diao et al 2016; 777: Kato et al 2012; 1175: Shibayama et al 2020), increasing the activity of endogenous antioxidant enzymes (110: Nogueira et al 2020; 222: Sha et al 2019; 264: Ara et al 2018; 325: Nogueira et al 2018; 431: Sun and Sun 2017; 746: Yao et al 2013), counteracting inflammation and apoptosis (110: Nogueira et al 2020; 111: Nogueira et al 2020; 222: Sha et al 2019; 264: Ara et al 2018; 325: Nogueira et al 2018; 780: Kim and Lim 2012; 347: Wu et al 2018; 368: Audi et al 2017; 709: Kawamura et al 2013; 872: Sun et al 2011; 473: Diao et al 2016), restoring mitochondrial function (746: Yao et al 2013), and regulating the gut microbiome (1002: Fahlman 2000; 232: Sha et al 2019).

Literature Cited (numbered as per database):

● (2) Botek, Michal; Krejci, Jakub; McKune, Andrew; Valenta, Michal; Sladeckova, Barbora. Hydrogen Rich Water Consumption Positively Affects Muscle Performance, Lactate Response, and Alleviates Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness After Resistance Training. 2021. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003979

● (34) Xiao, Li; Miwa, Nobuhiko. Hydrogen Nano-Bubble Water Suppresses ROS Generation, Adipogenesis, and Interleukin-6 Secretion in Hydrogen-Peroxide- or PMA-Stimulated Adipocytes and Three-Dimensional Subcutaneous Adipose Equivalents. 2021. Cells. 10.3390/cells10030626

● (49) Botek, Michal; Krejci, Jakub; McKune, Andrew J.; Sladeckova, Barbora. Hydrogen-Rich Water Supplementation and Up-Hill Running Performance: Effect of Athlete Performance Level. 2020. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance. 10.1123/ijspp.2019-0507

● (59) Dobashi, Shohei; Takeuchi, Kaito; Koyama, Katsuhiro. Hydrogen-rich water suppresses the reduction in blood total antioxidant capacity induced by 3 consecutive days of severe exercise in physically active males. 2020. Medical Gas Research. 10.4103/2045-9912.279979

● (66) Hori, Amane; Ichihara, Masatoshi; Kimura, Hayata; Ogata, Hisayoshi; Kondo, Takaharu; Hotta, Norio. Inhalation of molecular hydrogen increases breath acetone excretion during submaximal exercise: a randomized, single-blinded, placebo-controlled study. 2020. Medical Gas Research. 10.4103/2045-9912.296038

● (67) Hori, Amane; Sobue, Sayaka; Kurokawa, Ryosuke; Hirano, Shin-Ichi; Ichihara, Masatoshi; Hotta, Norio. Two-week continuous supplementation of hydrogen-ri