Short-term H2 inhalation improves running performance and torso strength in healthy adults

Dejan Javorac, Valdemar Stajer, Laszlo Ratgeber, Jozsef Betlehem, Sergej Ostojic, Dejan Javorac, Valdemar Stajer, Laszlo Ratgeber, Jozsef Betlehem, Sergej Ostojic

Abstract

In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover pilot trial, we evaluated the effects of 7-day H2 inhalation on exercise performance outcomes and serum hormonal and inflammation profiles in a cohort of young men and women. All participants (age 22.9 ± 1.5 years; body mass index 23.4 ± 2.5 kg m-2; 10 women and 10 men) were allocated to receive either gaseous hydrogen (4%) or placebo (room air) by 20-min once-per-day inhalation for 7 days, with a wash-out period of 7 days to prevent the residual effects of interventions across study periods. The primary treatment outcome was the change in running time-to-exhaustion in the incremental maximal test from baseline to day 7. Additionally, assessment of other exercise performance endpoints and clinical chemistry biomarkers was performed at baseline and at 7 days after each intervention. The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (ID NCT03846141). Breathing 4% hydrogen for 20 min per day resulted in increased peak running velocity (by up to 4.2%) as compared to air inhalation (P = 0.05). Hydrogen inhalation resulted in a notable drop in serum insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) by 48.2 ng/mL at follow-up (95% confidence interval [CI]: from -186.7 to 89.3) (P < 0.05), while IGF-1 levels were elevated by 59.3 ng/mL after placebo intervention (95% CI; from -110.7 to 229.5) (P < 0.05). Inhalational hydrogen appears to show ergogenic properties in healthy men and women. Gaseous H2 should be further evaluated for its efficacy and safety in an athletic environment.

Keywords: Ergogenic; Hydrogen; IGF-1; Insulin; Running to exhaustion.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest associated with this manuscript.

Copyright © Biology of Sport 2019.

Figures

FIG. 1
FIG. 1
Study protocol. Vertical arrows indicate sampling intervals for primary and secondary outcomes.
FIG. 2
FIG. 2
Changes in exercise performance outcomes at baseline vs. follow-up (7 days). Values are presented as mean percentage changes, with error bars representing SD. Asterisk (*) indicates a significant difference between trials at P ≤ 0.05. MVIS – maximal voluntary isometric strength, VO2max – maximal oxygen uptake.
FIG. 3
FIG. 3
Individual changes in primary treatment outcome (running time-to-exhaustion) between trials.

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