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Human clinical evidenceHuman Clinical Studyinhaled hydrogen gas

Effects of pre-exercise H2 inhalation on physical fatigue and related prefrontal cortex activation during and after high-intensity exercise.

Yinglu Hong, Gengxin Dong, Qian Li, Vienna Wang, Meng Liu, Guole Jiang, Dapeng Bao, Junhong Zhou · Frontiers in physiology · 2022

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Independent study record

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H2HUBB Research Library branded molecular hydrogen research image
Primary topic Molecular Hydrogen Overview
Evidence type Human clinical evidence
Publication type Human Clinical Study
Hydrogen method inhaled hydrogen gas

H2HUBB TAKEAWAY

In 24 young participants, it was observed that compared to control, after inhaling H₂ gas, participants had significantly lower RPE at each workload phase (p < 0.032) and lower HR at 50% Wmax, 75% Wmax, and 100% Wmax during cycling exercise (p < 0.037); the PFC activation was also significantly increased at 75 and 100% Wmax (p < 0.011).

What the Researchers Studied

In this study, the researchers examined the effects of pre-exercise H₂ gas inhalation on physical fatigue (PF) and prefrontal cortex (PFC) activation during and after high-intensity cycling exercise.

How the Study Was Conducted

Placebo-controlled human clinical trial.

How Molecular Hydrogen Was Used

On each of the other two visits, participants inhaled 20 min of either H₂ gas or placebo gas after a baseline test of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of thigh.

What the Researchers Found

It was observed that compared to control, after inhaling H₂ gas, participants had significantly lower RPE at each workload phase (p < 0.032) and lower HR at 50% Wmax, 75% Wmax, and 100% Wmax during cycling exercise (p < 0.037); the PFC activation was also significantly increased at 75 and 100% Wmax (p < 0.011).

Authors’ Conclusion

The authors concluded that this study demonstrated that pre-exercise inhalation of H₂ gas can alleviate PF, potentially by maintaining high PFC activation during high-intensity exercise in healthy young adults.