Hydrogen Gas Helps Athletes Maintain Better Blood Flow After Intense Training
Hydrogen gas inhalation prior to high-intensity training reduces attenuation of nitric oxide bioavailability in male rugby players
Research hubs: Cardiovascular System
- Evidence type
- Randomized controlled trial · Human study
- Authors
- Yuqi Zhao, Chaoqun Li, Shi Zhou, Zhiguang Xu, Xin Huang, Li Wen
- Journal
- PeerJ
- Year
- 2024
- PMID
- 39703911
- Study Type
- Human
- Participants
- 24
- Delivery
- Gas
- Dose
- 1 week of H2 supplementation prior to daily high-intensity exercise training
- H₂ concentration
- 66.7% H2
- Duration
- 3 weeks
- Funding
- National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant number 31271275)
- Conflicts of interest
- None declared
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 1 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Breathing in hydrogen gas seems to help professional athletes recover better from intense exercise by boosting important body chemicals and reducing stress and inflammation.
Key Finding
Hydrogen gas inhalation before high-intensity exercise preserved nitric oxide levels and reduced markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in professional rugby players.
Summary
This study tested whether inhaling hydrogen gas before intense exercise could protect athletes' bodies from damage caused by hard training. Researchers had professional rugby players inhale either hydrogen gas or a placebo (fake treatment) for one week before daily high-intensity workouts. They measured markers of inflammation, oxidative stress (cellular damage from exercise), and nitric oxide (a molecule important for blood vessel function). Players who inhaled hydrogen gas had higher levels of nitric oxide and antioxidants (protective molecules) after exercise, and showed lower markers of inflammation and cellular damage compared to the placebo group.
Practical Takeaway
This small study in elite athletes suggests hydrogen gas inhalation may help protect against exercise-induced damage and support recovery. However, the study was conducted only in professional rugby players, so results may not apply to recreational exercisers or other populations. More research is needed to determine whether these benefits translate to meaningful improvements in athletic performance or recovery in broader groups.
Abstract (excerpt)
Background: Inhalation of hydrogen gas (H2) as an antioxidant supplement may alleviate exercise-induced oxidative damage and protect post-exercise hydrogen peroxide signaling, which may help mediate beneficial exercise adaptation. The aims of this study were to determine the effects of H2…