Effects of drinking hydrogen-rich water on muscle fatigue in elite athletesScientific Research
Pilot study: Effects of drinking hydrogen-rich water on muscle fatigue caused by acute exercise in elite athletes
Abstract
Background
Muscle contractions during short periods of intense exercise can lead to oxidative stress, which may play a role in the development of symptoms of overtraining, including increased fatigue, resulting in muscle microdamage or inflammation. Recently, hydrogen has been said to act as an antioxidant, so we investigated the effects of hydrogen-enriched water (HW) on acute exercise-induced oxidative stress and muscle fatigue.
Methods
Ten male soccer players aged 20.9 ± 1.3 years underwent stress testing and blood sampling. Each subject was examined twice in a crossover, double-blind fashion; they received either hard water or placebo (PW) water every other week. Subjects were asked to use a bicycle ergometer with a maximal oxygen uptake (VO2) of 75 minutes for 30 minutes, followed by measurement of maximum torque and muscle activity for 100 maximal isokinetic knee extension. Oxidative stress markers and creatine kinase were sequentially measured in peripheral blood.
Results
Although acute exercise resulted in increased blood lactate levels in subjects given PW, oral HW prevented the increase in blood lactate during vigorous exercise. During maximal isokinetic knee extension, PW peak torque decreased significantly, indicating muscle fatigue, but HW peak torque did not decrease early. There were no significant changes in blood markers of oxidative damage (d-ROMs and BAP) or creatine kinase after exercise.
Conclusion
Adequate hydration with hydrogen-rich water before exercise reduces blood lactate levels and improves exercise-induced decline in muscle function. Although further research is needed to elucidate the exact mechanisms and confirm their benefits in a larger series of studies, these preliminary results may suggest that HW may be an appropriate hydration option for athletes.
References
Djordjevic D, Cubrilo D, Macura M, Barudzic N, Djuric D, Jakovljevic V: The influence of training status on oxidative stress in young male handball players. Mol Cell Biochem. 2011, 351 (1–2): 251-259.
Tanskanen M, Atalay M, Uusitalo A: Altered oxidative stress in overtrained athletes. J Sports Sci. 2010, 28 (3): 309-317. 10.1080/02640410903473844.
Jackson MJ: Muscle damage during exercise: possible role of free radicals and protective effect of vitamin E. Proc Nutr Soc. 1987, 46 (1): 77-80. 10.1079/PNS19870010.
Tiidus PM: Radical species in inflammation and overtraining. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 1998, 76 (5): 533-538. 10.1139/y98-047.
Palazzetti S, Rousseau AS, Richard MJ, Favier A, Margaritis I: Antioxidant supplementation preserves antioxidant response in physical training and low antioxidant intake. Br J Nutr. 2004, 91 (1): 91-100. 10.1079/BJN20031027.
Margaritis I, Palazzetti S, Rousseau AS, Richard MJ, Favier A: Antioxidant supplementation and tapering exercise improve exercise-induced antioxidant response. J Am Coll Nutr. 2003, 22 (2): 147-156.
Huang CS, Kawamura T, Toyoda Y, Nakao A: Recent advances in hydrogen research as a therapeutic medical gas. Free Radic Res. 2010, 44 (9): 971-982. 10.3109/10715762.2010.500328.
Ohta S, Nakao A, Ohno K: The 2011 Medical Molecular Hydrogen Symposium: An inaugural symposium of the journal Medical Gas Research. Med Gas Res. 2011, 1 (1): 10-10.1186/2045-9912-1-10.
Nakao A, Toyoda Y, Sharma P, Evans M, Guthrie N: Effectiveness of hydrogen rich water on antioxidant status of subjects with potential metabolic syndrome-an open label pilot study. J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2010, 46 (2): 140-149. 10.3164/jcbn.09-100.
Kajiyama S, Hasegawa G, Asano M, Hosoda H, Fukui M, Nakamura N, Kitawaki J, Imai S, Nakano K, Ohta M, et al: Supplementation of hydrogen-rich water improves lipid and glucose metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance. Nutr Res. 2008, 28 (3): 137-143. 10.1016/j.nutres.2008.01.008.
Kang KM, Kang YN, Choi IB, Gu Y, Kawamura T, Toyoda Y, Nakao A: Effects of drinking hydrogen-rich water on the quality of life of patients treated with radiotherapy for liver tumors. Med Gas Res. 2011, 1 (1): 11-10.1186/2045-9912-1-11.
Ohsawa I, Ishikawa M, Takahashi K, Watanabe M, Nishimaki K, Yamagata K, Katsura K, Katayama Y, Asoh S, Ohta S: Hydrogen acts as a therapeutic antioxidant by selectively reducing cytotoxic oxygen radicals. Nat Med. 2007, 13 (6): 688-694. 10.1038/nm1577.
Kawamura T, Huang CS, Peng X, Masutani K, Shigemura N, Billiar TR, Okumura M, Toyoda Y, Nakao A: The effect of donor treatment with hydrogen on lung allograft function in rats. Surgery. 2011, 150 (2): 240-249. 10.1016/j.surg.2011.05.019.
Buchholz BM, Masutani K, Kawamura T, Peng X, Toyoda Y, Billiar TR, Bauer AJ, Nakao A: Hydrogen-enriched preservation protects the isogeneic intestinal graft and amends recipient gastric function during transplantation. Transplantation. 2011, 92 (9): 985-992.
Howley ET, Bassett DR, Welch HG: Criteria for maximal oxygen uptake: review and commentary. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1995, 27 (9): 1292-1301.
Larsson B, Karlsson S, Eriksson M, Gerdle B: Test-retest reliability of EMG and peak torque during repetitive maximum concentric knee extensions. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2003, 13 (3): 281-287. 10.1016/S1050-6411(03)00022-1.
Gerdle B, Elert J: The temporal occurrence of the mean power frequency shift of the electromyogram during maximum prolonged dynamic and static working cycles. Int J Sports Med. 1994, 15 (Suppl 1): S32-S37.
Sun G, Miyakawa S, Kinoshita H, Shiraki H, Mukai N, Takemura M, Kato H: Changes in Muscle Hardness and Electromyographic Response for Quadriceps Muscle during RepetitiveMaximal Isokinetic Knee Extension Exercise. Football Science. 2009, 6: 17-23.
Horita T, Ishiko T: Relationships between muscle lactate accumulation and surface EMG activities during isokinetic contractions in man. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. 1987, 56 (1): 18-23. 10.1007/BF00696370.
Finaud J, Lac G, Filaire E: Oxidative stress : relationship with exercise and training. Sports Med. 2006, 36 (4): 327-358. 10.2165/00007256-200636040-00004.
Bloomer RJ: Effect of exercise on oxidative stress biomarkers. Adv Clin Chem. 2008, 46: 1-50.
Goldfarb AH: Nutritional antioxidants as therapeutic and preventive modalities in exercise-induced muscle damage. Can J Appl Physiol. 1999, 24 (3): 249-266. 10.1139/h99-021.
Clarkson PM, Thompson HS: Antioxidants: what role do they play in physical activity and health?. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000, 72 (2 Suppl): 637S-646S.
Brites FD, Evelson PA, Christiansen MG, Nicol MF, Basilico MJ, Wikinski RW, Llesuy SF: Soccer players under regular training show oxidative stress but an improved plasma antioxidant status. Clin Sci (Lond). 1999, 96 (4): 381-385. 10.1042/CS19980269.
Ortenblad N, Madsen K, Djurhuus MS: Antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation after short-term maximal exercise in trained and untrained humans. Am J Physiol. 1997, 272 (4 Pt 2): R1258-R1263.
Selamoglu S, Turgay F, Kayatekin BM, Gonenc S, Yslegen C: Aerobic and anaerobic training effects on the antioxidant enzymes of the blood. Acta Physiol Hung. 2000, 87 (3): 267-273. 10.1556/APhysiol.87.2000.3.5.
Shimouchi A, Nose K, Yamaguchi M, Ishiguro H, Kondo T: Breath hydrogen produced by ingestion of commercial hydrogen water and milk. Biomark Insights. 2009, 4: 27-32.
Westerblad H, Allen DG, Lannergren J: Muscle fatigue: lactic acid or inorganic phosphate the major cause?. News Physiol Sci. 2002, 17: 17-21.
Maughan RJ, Shirreffs SM: Development of hydration strategies to optimize performance for athletes in high-intensity sports and in sports with repeated intense efforts. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2010, 20 (Suppl 2): 59-69.
DOI: 10.1186
Published on: 20121204
Pilot study: Effects of drinking hydrogen-rich water on muscle fatigue caused by acute exercise in elite athletes
Abstract
Background
Muscle contractions during short periods of intense exercise can lead to oxidative stress, which may play a role in the development of symptoms of overtraining, including increased fatigue, resulting in muscle microdamage or inflammation. Recently, hydrogen has been said to act as an antioxidant, so we investigated the effects of hydrogen-enriched water (HW) on acute exercise-induced oxidative stress and muscle fatigue.
Methods
Ten male soccer players aged 20.9 ± 1.3 years underwent stress testing and blood sampling. Each subject was examined twice in a crossover, double-blind fashion; they received either hard water or placebo (PW) water every other week. Subjects were asked to use a bicycle ergometer with a maximal oxygen uptake (VO2) of 75 minutes for 30 minutes, followed by measurement of maximum torque and muscle activity for 100 maximal isokinetic knee extension. Oxidative stress markers and creatine kinase were sequentially measured in peripheral blood.
Results
Although acute exercise resulted in increased blood lactate levels in subjects given PW, oral HW prevented the increase in blood lactate during vigorous exercise. During maximal isokinetic knee extension, PW peak torque decreased significantly, indicating muscle fatigue, but HW peak torque did not decrease early. There were no significant changes in blood markers of oxidative damage (d-ROMs and BAP) or creatine kinase after exercise.
Conclusion
Adequate hydration with hydrogen-rich water before exercise reduces blood lactate levels and improves exercise-induced decline in muscle function. Although further research is needed to elucidate the exact mechanisms and confirm their benefits in a larger series of studies, these preliminary results may suggest that HW may be an appropriate hydration option for athletes.
References
Djordjevic D, Cubrilo D, Macura M, Barudzic N, Djuric D, Jakovljevic V: The influence of training status on oxidative stress in young male handball players. Mol Cell Biochem. 2011, 351 (1–2): 251-259.
Tanskanen M, Atalay M, Uusitalo A: Altered oxidative stress in overtrained athletes. J Sports Sci. 2010, 28 (3): 309-317. 10.1080/02640410903473844.
Jackson MJ: Muscle damage during exercise: possible role of free radicals and protective effect of vitamin E. Proc Nutr Soc. 1987, 46 (1): 77-80. 10.1079/PNS19870010.
Tiidus PM: Radical species in inflammation and overtraining. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 1998, 76 (5): 533-538. 10.1139/y98-047.
Palazzetti S, Rousseau AS, Richard MJ, Favier A, Margaritis I: Antioxidant supplementation preserves antioxidant response in physical training and low antioxidant intake. Br J Nutr. 2004, 91 (1): 91-100. 10.1079/BJN20031027.
Margaritis I, Palazzetti S, Rousseau AS, Richard MJ, Favier A: Antioxidant supplementation and tapering exercise improve exercise-induced antioxidant response. J Am Coll Nutr. 2003, 22 (2): 147-156.
Huang CS, Kawamura T, Toyoda Y, Nakao A: Recent advances in hydrogen research as a therapeutic medical gas. Free Radic Res. 2010, 44 (9): 971-982. 10.3109/10715762.2010.500328.
Ohta S, Nakao A, Ohno K: The 2011 Medical Molecular Hydrogen Symposium: An inaugural symposium of the journal Medical Gas Research. Med Gas Res. 2011, 1 (1): 10-10.1186/2045-9912-1-10.
Nakao A, Toyoda Y, Sharma P, Evans M, Guthrie N: Effectiveness of hydrogen rich water on antioxidant status of subjects with potential metabolic syndrome-an open label pilot study. J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2010, 46 (2): 140-149. 10.3164/jcbn.09-100.
Kajiyama S, Hasegawa G, Asano M, Hosoda H, Fukui M, Nakamura N, Kitawaki J, Imai S, Nakano K, Ohta M, et al: Supplementation of hydrogen-rich water improves lipid and glucose metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance. Nutr Res. 2008, 28 (3): 137-143. 10.1016/j.nutres.2008.01.008.
Kang KM, Kang YN, Choi IB, Gu Y, Kawamura T, Toyoda Y, Nakao A: Effects of drinking hydrogen-rich water on the quality of life of patients treated with radiotherapy for liver tumors. Med Gas Res. 2011, 1 (1): 11-10.1186/2045-9912-1-11.
Ohsawa I, Ishikawa M, Takahashi K, Watanabe M, Nishimaki K, Yamagata K, Katsura K, Katayama Y, Asoh S, Ohta S: Hydrogen acts as a therapeutic antioxidant by selectively reducing cytotoxic oxygen radicals. Nat Med. 2007, 13 (6): 688-694. 10.1038/nm1577.
Kawamura T, Huang CS, Peng X, Masutani K, Shigemura N, Billiar TR, Okumura M, Toyoda Y, Nakao A: The effect of donor treatment with hydrogen on lung allograft function in rats. Surgery. 2011, 150 (2): 240-249. 10.1016/j.surg.2011.05.019.
Buchholz BM, Masutani K, Kawamura T, Peng X, Toyoda Y, Billiar TR, Bauer AJ, Nakao A: Hydrogen-enriched preservation protects the isogeneic intestinal graft and amends recipient gastric function during transplantation. Transplantation. 2011, 92 (9): 985-992.
Howley ET, Bassett DR, Welch HG: Criteria for maximal oxygen uptake: review and commentary. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1995, 27 (9): 1292-1301.
Larsson B, Karlsson S, Eriksson M, Gerdle B: Test-retest reliability of EMG and peak torque during repetitive maximum concentric knee extensions. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2003, 13 (3): 281-287. 10.1016/S1050-6411(03)00022-1.
Gerdle B, Elert J: The temporal occurrence of the mean power frequency shift of the electromyogram during maximum prolonged dynamic and static working cycles. Int J Sports Med. 1994, 15 (Suppl 1): S32-S37.
Sun G, Miyakawa S, Kinoshita H, Shiraki H, Mukai N, Takemura M, Kato H: Changes in Muscle Hardness and Electromyographic Response for Quadriceps Muscle during RepetitiveMaximal Isokinetic Knee Extension Exercise. Football Science. 2009, 6: 17-23.
Horita T, Ishiko T: Relationships between muscle lactate accumulation and surface EMG activities during isokinetic contractions in man. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. 1987, 56 (1): 18-23. 10.1007/BF00696370.
Finaud J, Lac G, Filaire E: Oxidative stress : relationship with exercise and training. Sports Med. 2006, 36 (4): 327-358. 10.2165/00007256-200636040-00004.
Bloomer RJ: Effect of exercise on oxidative stress biomarkers. Adv Clin Chem. 2008, 46: 1-50.
Goldfarb AH: Nutritional antioxidants as therapeutic and preventive modalities in exercise-induced muscle damage. Can J Appl Physiol. 1999, 24 (3): 249-266. 10.1139/h99-021.
Clarkson PM, Thompson HS: Antioxidants: what role do they play in physical activity and health?. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000, 72 (2 Suppl): 637S-646S.
Brites FD, Evelson PA, Christiansen MG, Nicol MF, Basilico MJ, Wikinski RW, Llesuy SF: Soccer players under regular training show oxidative stress but an improved plasma antioxidant status. Clin Sci (Lond). 1999, 96 (4): 381-385. 10.1042/CS19980269.
Ortenblad N, Madsen K, Djurhuus MS: Antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation after short-term maximal exercise in trained and untrained humans. Am J Physiol. 1997, 272 (4 Pt 2): R1258-R1263.
Selamoglu S, Turgay F, Kayatekin BM, Gonenc S, Yslegen C: Aerobic and anaerobic training effects on the antioxidant enzymes of the blood. Acta Physiol Hung. 2000, 87 (3): 267-273. 10.1556/APhysiol.87.2000.3.5.
Shimouchi A, Nose K, Yamaguchi M, Ishiguro H, Kondo T: Breath hydrogen produced by ingestion of commercial hydrogen water and milk. Biomark Insights. 2009, 4: 27-32.
Westerblad H, Allen DG, Lannergren J: Muscle fatigue: lactic acid or inorganic phosphate the major cause?. News Physiol Sci. 2002, 17: 17-21.
Maughan RJ, Shirreffs SM: Development of hydration strategies to optimize performance for athletes in high-intensity sports and in sports with repeated intense efforts. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2010, 20 (Suppl 2): 59-69.
