Could inhaling hydrogen-rich gas affect performance during repeated sprints? A 2024 study explored this question in a small group of physically active men.
What did the researchers do?
Ten healthy, recreationally active men took part in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. On separate visits, they inhaled either hydrogen-rich gas or ordinary air for 60 minutes, then completed four 30-second all-out cycling sprints, with 4.5 minutes of recovery between sprints. Researchers also analysed blood samples to look for changes in metabolites.
What did the study find?
After hydrogen-rich gas inhalation, participants had better results on several measures during the fourth sprint, including mean power, fatigue index and time to peak. The researchers also reported less decline between the first and fourth sprints on some performance measures.
The blood analysis showed changes in several metabolites. The authors suggested these changes might relate to how the body uses and replenishes energy during repeated sprints. These proposed explanations need further study; the results do not establish exactly how hydrogen may have affected performance.
What are the study’s limits?
This was a small, short-term laboratory study involving only ten men. It tested one specific exercise protocol after a 60-minute inhalation session. It cannot show whether the results apply to women, other age groups, different types of exercise, longer-term training, or people with health conditions.
It also tested inhaled hydrogen-rich gas, not hydrogen-water tablets. The findings therefore do not establish the effects, dose or timing of hydrogen tablets, or show that different hydrogen devices will produce the same results.
The takeaway
This study offers an early look at hydrogen-rich gas inhalation and repeated sprint cycling. Its results are interesting, but larger studies are needed to find out whether they can be repeated and who, if anyone, may benefit.
This article summarises one research study and is for general information. It is not medical advice or a promise of improved performance.
Study: Dong G, Liu H, Chen Y, Bao D, Xu W, Zhou J. “Hydrogen-Rich Gas Enhanced Sprint-Interval Performance: Metabolomic Insights into Underlying Mechanisms.” Nutrients. 2024;16(14):2341.
