A recent study published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine suggests that inhaling hydrogen-rich gas before exercise may help reduce fatigue and improve performance. 

The study involved 24 healthy adult men who were tested on their maximum cycling power and endurance. In a carefully controlled experiment, participants inhaled either hydrogen-rich gas or a placebo (regular air) for 60 minutes before performing a strenuous cycling exercise. The study was double-blind, randomized, and counterbalanced, ensuring that the results were unbiased.

Key Findings

1. Reduced Perceived Fatigue: Participants who inhaled hydrogen-rich gas reported feeling significantly less fatigued compared to those who inhaled the placebo gas.
2. Improved Exercise Performance: The hydrogen-rich gas group demonstrated improved cycling performance, particularly in the final 30 seconds of the exercise, and reported lower perceived exertion both at the beginning and end of their ride.
3. Oxidative Stress Reduction: The study also revealed that inhalation of the gas reduced oxidative stress, as evidenced by lower serum lactate levels and improved inhibition of hydroxyl radicals.

Implications and Future Research

While the study did not find significant effects on certain physical performance measures, such as jump height or specific antioxidant enzyme activity, the overall benefits of hydrogen-gas inhalation on reducing fatigue and oxidative stress were notable. These findings suggest that the gas could be consideted as an intervention for athletes looking to enhance performance and manage exercise-induced fatigue.

The finding comes from a collaborative effort between researchers in the U.S. and China, including experts from the Hebrew SeniorLife’s Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research.