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

• Main Authors: Dejan Javorac, Valdemar Stajer, Laszlo Ratgeber, Jozsef Betlehem, Sergej Ostojic
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Termedia Publishing House 2019-10-01
• Series: Biology of Sport
• Subjects: hydrogen; running to exhaustion; insulin; igf-1; ergogenic
• Online Access: https://www.termedia.pl/Short-term-H2-inhalation-improves-running-performance-and-torso-strength-in-healthy-adults,78,38040,1,1.html
• ISSN: 0860-021X; 2083-1862

In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover pilot trial, we evaluated the effects of 7-day H 2 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 H 2 should be further evaluated for its efficacy and safety in an athletic environment.