Hydrogen Supplement Boosts High-Intensity Exercise Performance
The Acute Effects of a Single Dose of Molecular Hydrogen Supplements on Responses to Ergogenic Adjustments during High-Intensity Intermittent Exercise in Humans
Research hubs: Athletic Performance · Cardiovascular System · Respiratory System
- Evidence type
- Randomized controlled trial · Human study
- Authors
- Ahad Abdulkarim D. Alharbi, Noriaki Iwamoto, Naoyuki Ebine, Satoshi Nakae, Tatsuya Hojo, Yoshiyuki Fukuoka
- Journal
- Nutrients
- Year
- 2022
- PMID
- 36235628
- Study Type
- Human
- Participants
- 10
- Delivery
- Gas (Sustained Release)
- Dose
- 1500 mg H2-rich calcium powder (containing 2.544 μg of H2) single dose 1 hour pre-exercise
- H₂ concentration
- 2.544 μg H2
- Duration
- 1 day or less
- Funding
- The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (No. 18K10909 NE, No. 19H04022 to YF); Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture of Japan (No. 18K10909 NE, No. 19H04022 to YF)
- Conflicts of interest
- Author NE received research grant from ENAGEGATE Inc., which also provided the HCP supplements and placebo used in the study.
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
TL;DR
Taking a single dose of a hydrogen-rich supplement before exercise may boost performance during high-intensity workouts and help muscles recover faster.
Key Finding
A single dose of hydrogen-rich calcium powder increased peak power output by about 23 watts during the first high-intensity exercise bout and enhanced muscle oxygen extraction compared to placebo.
Summary
This study tested whether a single dose of hydrogen-rich supplement taken before exercise could improve high-intensity interval training (HIIT) performance in 10 trained athletes. Researchers measured muscle oxygen levels and power output during intense cycling bursts. The hydrogen supplement group produced more peak power in the first exercise bout and showed better oxygen extraction in their muscles compared to the placebo group, though heart rate responses were similar between groups.
Practical Takeaway
This small human study suggests hydrogen supplementation may support short-term performance during intense exercise, but the findings are based on just 10 trained athletes receiving a single dose. Larger studies are needed to confirm whether these benefits persist with repeated use or apply to untrained individuals and different exercise types.
Abstract (excerpt)
This research examined the effects of single-dose molecular hydrogen (H2) supplements on acid-base status and local muscle deoxygenation during rest, high-intensity intermittent training (HIIT) performance, and recovery. Ten healthy, trained subjects in a randomized, double-blind, crossover design…