The impact of hydrogen-rich water consumption to transient and acute fatigue during official football match: Study protocol for randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled parallel trial
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Study design: Study Protocol
Abstract: Football matches place high-intensity physiological demands on players, frequently inducing transient and acute neuromuscular fatigue that can impair physical output and technical performance. Molecular hydrogen (H2), known for its selective antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has been suggested to mitigate fatigue by reducing exercise-induced oxidative stress, enhancing mitochondrial function, and accelerating recovery. The primary objective of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-group trial is to evaluate the effect of pre-exercise hydrogen-rich water (HRW) ingestion on transient fatigue (expressed by the rate and extent of external load reduction during an official football match) and acute post-match neuromuscular fatigue in 32 semi-professional male football players. Participants will be stratified by playing position (defenders, midfielders, forwards) and randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either HRW (5040 mL total saturation across 72 h, 48 h, and 24 h pre-match, post-warm-up, and at half-time) or an indistinguishable placebo. Pre-match subjective readiness will be monitored via Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and standardized well-being questionnaires. During the official 90-minute competitive match, player workload will be continuously monitored using 10 Hz GPS technology (Catapult Vector S7) and heart rate telemetry, analyzed across successive 5-minute epochs. External load metrics include total distance (TD), high-intensity running distance (HID >14.4 km/h), top speed (TS), and PlayerLoad (PL_TM), while internal load will be assessed using Edwards summated heart rate zones (SHRZ). Acute neuromuscular fatigue will be quantified pre- and post-match via 20-meter Repeated Sprint Ability (RSA) and Countermovement Jump (CMJ) tests. We hypothesize that acute pre-exercise HRW administration will attenuate transient external load decrements across match intervals (especially towards the end of each half) while maintaining a stable internal load, as well as reduce post-match neuromuscular performance impairment and perceived muscle soreness compared to placebo.
Authors: David Prycl, Karel Hulka
Language: English
Subfield: Pharmacology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7204495036