Athletic PerformanceNCT05799911
Effect of Molecular Hydrogen Administration on Performance and Body Response on Exercise in National-level Fin-swimmers
A study testing Hydrogen rich water in people with Athletic Performance and Muscle Fatigue, run by Palacky University at 1 site in Czechia.
Trial summary
The aim of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial is to evaluate the effect of hydrogen-rich water consumption on performance, recovery, psychological and biochemical outcomes in elite Czech fin-swimmers. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 16 to 30 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Athletic Performance, Muscle Fatigue, Oxidative Stress
- What is being tested?
- Hydrogen rich water
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 14 participants
- Where
- 1 siteCzechia
- Study dates
- 11 Apr 2023to 31 May 2023
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 16 to 30 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult
Who may be able to join
- Junior or adult Czech fin-swimming representative.
- Medical eligibility for competitive sport.
- Good health condition.
- Signed informed consent.
Who cannot join
- Acute health problems.
- Not following instructions (free of any supplements three weeks before experiment, free of any medicaments, no caffeine at least 24 hours before experiment).
- Menstruation in testing session.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Effect of Molecular Hydrogen Administration on Performance and Body Response on Repeated Exercise and the Following Recovery in National-level Fin-swimmers: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Crossover Trial
The aim of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial is to evaluate the effect of hydrogen-rich water consumption on performance, recovery, psychological and biochemical outcomes in elite Czech fin-swimmers.
Read the detailed description
Twelve Czech national and international-level fin-swimmers participate in this trial. Participants take molecular hydrogen via drinking hydrogen-rich water (HRW) or placebo three days before (1260 ml/day) and during testing day (2520 ml). All participants participate in two testing session and receive HRW and placebo in random order. Each session includes two training units in a 25-m indoor swimming pool and a 24-hour monitored recovery. The first training unit takes place in the morning between 9 and 11 AM and includes three high intensity interval sets. The afternoon training unit includes a continuous 400-m competitive performance. The washout period between testing sessions is 7 days. The variables assessed are as follows: swimming times, heart rate variability, lower limb explosive strength, rating of perceived exertion, subjective perceived muscle soreness, creatine kinase, blood lactate, and protein carbonyls. Statistical analysis is based on analysis of variance for repeated measures with factors: water (HRW and placebo), time, and interaction. Fisher's post-hoc tests is used for pairwise comparisons. The significance level is set at 0.05.
- Conditions
- Athletic Performance, Muscle Fatigue, Oxidative Stress
- Being tested
- Hydrogen rich water, Placebo
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Hydrogen rich waterDietary supplement
Also called Aquastamina-R, Nutristamina, Ostrava, Czech Republic
Hydrogen-rich water with molecular hydrogen concentration 0.9 ppm.
PlaceboDietary supplement
Also called Aquastamina-Placebo, Nutristamina, Ostrava, Czech Republic
Tap water with molecular hydrogen concentration 0.0 ppm.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular hydrogen | Experimental | Hydrogen-rich water supplied in 420-ml packages. 3 days before testing day - 3 packages per day, testing day - 6 packages, 15 packages in total. Receives: Dietary Supplement: Hydrogen rich water |
| Placebo | Placebo comparator | Tap water supplied in 420-ml packages. 3 days before testing day - 3 packages per day, testing day - 6 packages, 15 packages in total. Receives: Dietary Supplement: Placebo |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Swimming time for 400 m
Swimming time is recorded according to swimming and fin-swimming rules. Swimming time is measured by two qualified timekeepers. The longer time is the official time.
Measured: Change between values before and after 7 days of crossover.
Secondary outcomes (8)
Swimming time for 50 m
Swimming time is recorded according to swimming and fin-swimming rules. Swimming time is measured by three qualified timekeepers. If two of the three watches record the same time and the third disagrees, the two identical times is the official time. If all three watches disagree, the watch recording the intermediate time is the official time. The 50-m swimming is repeated in 3 sets and 4 rounds, representing 12 measured times.
Measured: Change between values before and after 7 days of crossover.
Heart rate variability
To determine heart rate variability variables, the ECG signal is measured at a sampling frequency of 1000 Hz using DiANS PF8 (DIMEA Group, Olomouc, Czech Republic). ECG sampling is performed during an orthoclinostatic maneuver (supine-standing-supine) in calm room without any acoustic or visual disturbances. Time domain variables (RMSSD and SDNN) and frequency domain variables (high and low frequency power) are calculated from the ECG. Variables are measured before and after the first training unit, before and after the second training unit, morning and evening of the following day.
Measured: Change between values before and after 7 days of crossover.
Lower limb explosive strength
The subject performs 3 single maximum effort countermovement jumps with 30 seconds of rest between each jump. The starting position for the jump is an upright posture with the hands placed on the hips. Vertical ground reaction force is measured on 2 parallel force platforms (AMTI OR6-7-1000, Advanced Mechanical Technology, Watertown, USA) with a sampling frequency of 1000 Hz. The jump height is calculated from the measured force-time curve and the average of three jumps is considered for subsequent analysis. The jump height is measured before and after the first training unit, before and after the second training unit, morning and evening of the following day.
Measured: 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 modified scale ranged from 1 (no exertion at all) to 10 (maximum exertion). The rating is scored immediately after each set of 50-m swimming and after 400-m swimming.
Measured: 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 is a horizontal 100 mm length line, marked with 0, indicating "no pain" and 100 indicating the "worst imaginable pain". The VAS is assessed before and after the first training unit, before and after the second training unit, morning and evening of the following day.
Measured: Change between values before and after 7 days of crossover.
Creatine kinase
Creatine kinase is evaluated based on blood samples taken from fingertip. An alcohol wipe is used to clean fingertip and the skin is punctured with lancet. First drop is wiped away and the second drop is used. A Reflotron applicator with a 32 μL disposable pipette tip is used to extract a 32 μL sample of blood and place it on a creatine kinase assay strip (Reflotron CK strips, Roche Diagnostics, Rotkreuz, Switzerland). The blood sample is analyzed using a spectrophotometer (Reflotron Plus, Roche Diagnostics, Rotkreuz, Switzerland) to set plasma creatine kinase concentration.The creatine kinase is evaluated before the first training unit, before the second training unit, morning and evening of the following day.
Measured: Change between values before and after 7 days of crossover.
Blood lactate
Blood lactate concentration is evaluated based on blood samples taken from fingertip. An alcohol wipe is used to clean fingertip and the skin will be punctured with lancet. First drop is wiped away and the second drop is be used. For lactate sampling the analyzer Lactate Scout+ (EKF Diagnostics, Cardiff, United Kingdom) is used. The blood lactate is evaluated before the first training unit, after each set of 50-m swimming, after swim-up, before and after the second training unit, morning and evening of the following day.
Measured: 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 centrifuged at 1000 g. Subsequently, the blood plasma is separated into cryotubes and frozen at -80 °C until biochemical analysis. Protein carbonyls concentration is measured by ELISA method in accordance with the manufacturer's manual (Protein carbonyl content assay kit, Sigma-Aldrich, Saint Louis, USA). The protein carbonyls is analyzed before the first training unit, before the second training unit, morning and evening of the following day.
Measured: Change between values before and after 7 days of crossover.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted5 Apr 2023
- Study start11 Apr 2023
- Primary completion31 May 2023
- Study completion31 May 2023
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Athletic PerformanceStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator
- Enrolment
- 14 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Palacky University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Jakub Krejci, Palacky University
- Investigators
- Barbora Sladeckova, MSc, Principal investigator, Palacky University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05799911
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- FTK_2023_11
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 10 Mar 2023
- Last updated
- 4 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Anonymised raw data will be made available.
Publications
Sladeckova B, Krejci J, McKune A, Pyne DB, Bajgar R, Botek M. Hydrogen-Rich Water as a Performance-Enhancing Aid in National-Level Finswimmers: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Study. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2026 Apr 16;21(7):824-830. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2025-0492. Print 2026 Jul 1.
PubMed 41991147Botek M, Krejčí J, Sládečková B, McKune A. Autonomic cardiac regulation in response to exercise and molecular hydrogen administration in well-trained athletes. In: Slezak J, Kura B, eds. Molecular Hydrogen in Health and Disease. Springer Nature Switzerland; 2024:69-91. doi:10.1007/978-3-031-47375-3_5
Sladeckova B, Botek M, Krejci J, Valenta M, McKune A, Neuls F, Klimesova I. Hydrogen-rich water supplementation promotes muscle recovery after two strenuous training sessions performed on the same day in elite fin swimmers: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. Front Physiol. 2024 Apr 12;15:1321160. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1321160. eCollection 2024.
PubMed 38681143
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effect of Molecular Hydrogen Administration on Performance and Body Response on Repeated Exercise and the Following Recovery in National-level Fin-swimmers: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Crossover Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05799911
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- FTK_2023_11
- Conditions
- Athletic Performance, Muscle Fatigue, Oxidative Stress
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 14 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Palacky UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 11 Apr 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 May 2023 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 May 2023 (actual)
- First posted
- 5 Apr 2023 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The aim of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial is to evaluate the effect of hydrogen-rich water consumption on performance, recovery, psychological and biochemical outcomes in elite Czech fin-swimmers.
Detailed description
Twelve Czech national and international-level fin-swimmers participate in this trial. Participants take molecular hydrogen via drinking hydrogen-rich water (HRW) or placebo three days before (1260 ml/day) and during testing day (2520 ml). All participants participate in two testing session and receive HRW and placebo in random order. Each session includes two training units in a 25-m indoor swimming pool and a 24-hour monitored recovery. The first training unit takes place in the morning between 9 and 11 AM and includes three high intensity interval sets. The afternoon training unit includes a continuous 400-m competitive performance. The washout period between testing sessions is 7 days. The variables assessed are as follows: swimming times, heart rate variability, lower limb explosive strength, rating of perceived exertion, subjective perceived muscle soreness, creatine kinase, blood lactate, and protein carbonyls. Statistical analysis is based on analysis of variance for repeated measures with factors: water (HRW and placebo), time, and interaction. Fisher's post-hoc tests is used for pairwise comparisons. The significance level is set at 0.05.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, investigator)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular hydrogen | Experimental | Dietary Supplement: Hydrogen rich waterHydrogen-rich water supplied in 420-ml packages. 3 days before testing day - 3 packages per day, testing day - 6 packages, 15 packages in total. |
| Placebo | Placebo comparator | Dietary Supplement: PlaceboTap water supplied in 420-ml packages. 3 days before testing day - 3 packages per day, testing day - 6 packages, 15 packages in total. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 16 to 30 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Junior or adult Czech fin-swimming representative.
- Medical eligibility for competitive sport.
- Good health condition.
- Signed informed consent.
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Acute health problems.
- Not following instructions (free of any supplements three weeks before experiment, free of any medicaments, no caffeine at least 24 hours before experiment).
- Menstruation in testing session.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Hydrogen rich waterAlso: Aquastamina-R, Nutristamina, Ostrava, Czech RepublicHydrogen-rich water with molecular hydrogen concentration 0.9 ppm. | Dietary supplement | Molecular hydrogen |
| PlaceboAlso: Aquastamina-Placebo, Nutristamina, Ostrava, Czech RepublicTap water with molecular hydrogen concentration 0.0 ppm. | Dietary supplement | Placebo |
Primary outcome
Swimming time for 400 m
Time frame: Change between values before and after 7 days of crossover.
Swimming time is recorded according to swimming and fin-swimming rules. Swimming time is measured by two qualified timekeepers. The longer time is the official time.
8 secondary outcomes
Swimming time for 50 m
Time frame: Change between values before and after 7 days of crossover.
Heart rate variability
Time frame: Change between values before and after 7 days of crossover.
Lower limb explosive strength
Time frame: Change between values before and after 7 days of crossover.
Rating of perceived exertion
Time frame: Change between values before and after 7 days of crossover.
Subjective perceived muscle soreness
Time frame: Change between values before and after 7 days of crossover.
Creatine kinase
Time frame: Change between values before and after 7 days of crossover.
Blood lactate
Time frame: Change between values before and after 7 days of crossover.
Protein carbonyls
Time frame: Change between values before and after 7 days of crossover.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 4 Jun 2026.
- Results publication: PubMed 41991147Sladeckova B, Krejci J, McKune A, Pyne DB, Bajgar R, Botek M. Hydrogen-Rich Water as a Performance-Enhancing Aid in National-Level Finswimmers: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Study. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2026 Apr 16;21(7):824-830. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2025-0492. Print 2026 Jul 1.
- Results publicationBotek M, Krejčí J, Sládečková B, McKune A. Autonomic cardiac regulation in response to exercise and molecular hydrogen administration in well-trained athletes. In: Slezak J, Kura B, eds. Molecular Hydrogen in Health and Disease. Springer Nature Switzerland; 2024:69-91. doi:10.1007/978-3-031-47375-3_5
- Results publication: PubMed 38681143Sladeckova B, Botek M, Krejci J, Valenta M, McKune A, Neuls F, Klimesova I. Hydrogen-rich water supplementation promotes muscle recovery after two strenuous training sessions performed on the same day in elite fin swimmers: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. Front Physiol. 2024 Apr 12;15:1321160. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1321160. eCollection 2024.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. Anonymised raw data will be made available.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Barbora Sladeckova, MSc principal investigator
Palacky University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Hydrogen rich water in people with Athletic Performance and Muscle Fatigue, run by Palacky University at 1 site in Czechia.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Czechia. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Swimming time for 400 m (time frame: Change between values before and after 7 days of crossover.). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05799911, which also lists 3 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 4 Jun 2026.