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Int J Sports Med
DOI: 10.1055/a-2318-1880
Nutrition

Inhalation of Hydrogen-rich Gas before Acute Exercise Alleviates Exercise Fatigue: A Randomized Crossover Study

Gengxin Dong
1   School of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China
,
Jianxin Wu
2   Ministry of Sports, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
,
Yinglu Hong
1   School of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China
,
Qian Li 
3   Sports Coaching College, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China
,
Meng Liu
3   Sports Coaching College, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China
,
Guole Jiang
3   Sports Coaching College, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China
,
Dapeng Bao
4   China Institute of Sport and Health Science, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China
,
Brad Manor
5   Hebrew Senior Life Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
,
Junhong Zhou
5   Hebrew Senior Life Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
› Author Affiliations Funding Information National Key Research and Development Projects of the Ministry of Science and Technology — 2018YFC2000602 major project of Beijing Social Science Foundation: “Theory and Practice Research on Deep Integration of National Fitness and National Health in the New Era” — 20ZDA19
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Abstract

Hydrogen, as an antioxidant, may have the potential to mitigate fatigue and improve selected oxidative stress markers induced by strenuous exercise. This study focused on a previously unexplored approach involving pre-exercise inhalation of hydrogen-rich gas (HRG). Twenty-four healthy adult men first completed pre-laboratories to determine maximum cycling power (Wmax) and maximum cycling time (Tmax). Then they were subjected to ride Tmax at 80% Wmax and 60–70 rpm on cycle ergometers after inhaled HRG or placebo gas (air) for 60-minute in a double-blind, counterbalanced, randomized, and crossover design. The cycling frequency in the fatigue modeling process and the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) at the beginning and end of the ride were recorded. Before gas inhalation and after fatigue modeling, visual analog scale (VAS) for fatigue and counter-movement jump (CMJ) were tested, and blood samples were obtained. The results showed that compared to a placebo, HRG inhalation induced significant improvement in VAS, RPE, the cycling frequency during the last 30 seconds in the fatigue modeling process, the ability to inhibit hydroxyl radicals, and serum lactate after exercise (p<0.028), but not in CMJ height and glutathione peroxidase activity. The cycling frequency during the last 30 seconds of all other segments in the fatigue modeling process was within the range of 60–70 rpm. In conclusion, HRG inhalation prior to acute exercise can alleviate exercise-induced fatigue, maintain functional performance, and improve hydroxyl radical and lactate levels.

Keywords

oxidative stress - anti-fatigue - hydroxyl radicals - lactate - recovery

Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 04 March 2024

Accepted: 29 April 2024

Accepted Manuscript online:
02 May 2024

Article published online:
10 September 2024

© 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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