Masters M50 National Long Jump Champion Andy Morey Shares His Recovery Experience
“In my age group, I’m among the top four sprinters in the country. After an athletics competition, I would normally experience muscle soreness and stiffness for three or four days. When I use a 3,000 ml/min hydrogen/oxygen machine for an hour after returning home, I feel that it reduces my stiffness and aching by around 50%.
“I’ve competed at a high level from an early age, so I know my body well and can usually tell when something I add to my routine is making a meaningful difference. For me, hydrogen inhalation has become an important part of my recovery protocol.”
— Andy Morey, Masters athlete (M50)
The photograph shows Andy Morey receiving the gold medal for the long jump at the 2025 UK National Indoor Championships.
Andy’s comments describe his personal experience. Individual responses vary, and a testimonial is not evidence that everyone will experience the same result.
Why Recovery Matters as Much as Performance
Training provides the stimulus, but recovery is when the body adapts. Sleep, nutrition, hydration, appropriate training load and rest remain the foundations of any effective recovery programme.
Recovery can also become more challenging with age. Some athletes notice that muscle soreness lasts longer, energy returns more slowly and maintaining consistent training requires greater attention to recovery.
This has led researchers to explore molecular hydrogen (H₂) as a possible addition to established recovery practices. Early studies have investigated its potential influence on exercise-related oxidative stress, inflammatory signalling, fatigue, muscle function and perceived soreness. The findings are promising in some areas, but the evidence remains developing and results have not been consistent across every study.
Hydrogen therapy should therefore be viewed as a potential recovery-support tool, not a shortcut, guaranteed performance enhancer or replacement for medical care and proven recovery fundamentals.
What Does the Research Say?
Molecular hydrogen is a very small molecule that can diffuse rapidly through biological membranes. Early laboratory research suggested that it may influence oxidative stress and redox signalling. Scientists are still investigating the precise mechanisms involved; it is more accurate to describe hydrogen as a possible modulator of biological signalling than simply as a conventional antioxidant that “neutralises free radicals.”
Research relevant to exercise includes:
Hydrogen-Rich Water and Exercise-Induced Fatigue
A small 2012 pilot study involving ten male football players found that drinking hydrogen-rich water before exercise was associated with lower blood lactate levels and a smaller exercise-related decline in muscle function than placebo. However, this was a small study of hydrogen-rich water—not hydrogen inhalation—so its findings should not be applied directly to every athlete or delivery method.
Hydrogen Inhalation During Recovery
A 2020 study investigated inhalation of a hydrogen-containing gas mixture during the recovery period after exercise. The results suggested possible reductions in markers of systemic oxidative damage and potential benefits for subsequent exercise performance. Further, larger studies are needed before firm conclusions or universal protocols can be established.
Mixed Results Across the Wider Evidence
Not every trial has reported a performance benefit. For example, a randomised controlled study published in 2020 found that acute consumption of hydrogen-rich water did not improve treadmill exercise performance. A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis likewise found areas of potential benefit but emphasised the limited number, size and consistency of available trials.
The balanced conclusion is that molecular hydrogen is an interesting and emerging area of sports-recovery research, but it has not yet been proven to deliver the same benefit for every athlete.
Potential Areas Being Studied
Current research is exploring whether molecular hydrogen may help support:
Post-exercise recovery and perceived muscle soreness
The body’s response to exercise-induced oxidative stress
Inflammatory and redox signalling after strenuous activity
Maintenance of muscle function during repeated exertion
Mitochondrial and cellular resilience under physiological stress
These are areas of investigation rather than guaranteed treatment outcomes. Claims that hydrogen inhalation improves sleep, mood, hormonal balance, cardiovascular function or joint mobility specifically in athletes require stronger clinical evidence.
Why Recovery Can Become More Important With Age
Masters athletes often combine high training demands with age-related changes in muscle mass, tendon resilience, sleep and recovery capacity. A carefully planned recovery routine can help them train more consistently and manage fatigue more effectively.
The essentials remain:
Sufficient sleep and rest
Appropriate protein and overall nutrition
Good hydration
Progressive training with adequate recovery days
Mobility and strength work appropriate to the individual
Professional assessment of persistent pain, injury or unusual fatigue
For athletes who already have these foundations in place, molecular hydrogen may be something to explore as an adjunct, with realistic expectations and appropriate professional guidance.
A Practical Approach to Post-Training Use
There is currently no universally established clinical protocol for hydrogen/oxygen inhalation in athletic recovery. Product instructions, hydrogen concentration and total gas-flow rate vary, so sessions should be based on the manufacturer’s guidance and the user’s individual circumstances.
A cautious routine may include:
Timing: During a quiet recovery period after training or competition
Duration: Follow the instructions supplied with the device; do not assume that longer is always better
Breathing: Relax normally through the recommended nasal cannula
Hydration: Drink water before and after training according to personal needs
Foundations: Continue prioritising sleep, nutrition, rest and appropriate rehabilitation
Tracking: Record soreness, sleep, energy and subsequent performance rather than relying on a single session
Anyone who is pregnant, has a respiratory or cardiovascular condition, uses supplemental oxygen or is receiving medical treatment should seek advice from an appropriately qualified healthcare professional before use.
Because hydrogen is flammable, the machine must be operated exactly as instructed, in a well-ventilated area and away from flames, smoking, sparks and other ignition sources.
Which Flow Rate Is Right for You?
Flow rate describes the total volume of gas delivered each minute. It is not, by itself, a measure of treatment quality or proof of a better outcome.
| Flow rate | Typical consideration |
|---|---|
| 1,200 ml/min | A practical entry point for general home use and regular wellness sessions |
| 1,500 ml/min | A higher-output option for users seeking greater gas delivery during a similar session time |
| 3,000 ml/min | The highest-output option in the range, often chosen by experienced users and athletes with demanding recovery routines |
The appropriate choice depends on the device’s hydrogen concentration, recommended session duration, intended use, budget and personal preferences. Higher flow does not guarantee a better clinical result.
Strong Recovery Builds Strong Athletes
Whether the goal is to sprint faster, jump farther, lift more or continue competing well into later life, recovery needs to match the demands of training.
Andy Morey considers hydrogen/oxygen inhalation one of the most valuable additions to his own routine. His experience is compelling, and the emerging research provides good reason for continued investigation. At the same time, responsible use means keeping the claims in proportion to the evidence.
Molecular hydrogen is not a magic cure. It may, however, become a useful component of a broader recovery strategy built on intelligent training, quality sleep, sound nutrition and consistent attention to the whole body.
Let recovery become your competitive edge.
References
Aoki K, Nakao A, Adachi T, Matsui Y, Miyakawa S. Pilot study: Effects of drinking hydrogen-rich water on muscle fatigue caused by acute exercise in elite athletes. Medical Gas Research. 2012;2:12. PubMed
Ohsawa I, Ishikawa M, Takahashi K, et al. Hydrogen acts as a therapeutic antioxidant by selectively reducing cytotoxic oxygen radicals. Nature Medicine. 2007;13:688–694. Nature Medicine
Shibayama Y, et al. Impact of hydrogen-rich gas mixture inhalation through nasal cannula during post-exercise recovery period on subsequent exercise performance and blood redox status in men. Medical Gas Research. 2020. PubMed
Ooi CH, et al. Acute ingestion of hydrogen-rich water does not improve incremental treadmill running performance in endurance-trained athletes. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism. 2020. PubMed
Yang M, et al. Can molecular hydrogen supplementation reduce exercise-induced oxidative stress in healthy adults? A systematic review and meta-analysis. 2024. PubMed
Disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Hydrogen/oxygen therapy is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. Speak with a qualified healthcare professional before starting a new therapy or changing an existing treatment or training programme.
Whether you’re a competitive sprinter, weekend warrior, or over-50 athlete determined to stay strong and agile, recovery is everything. No matter how smart your training program is, your gains depend on how well your body repairs, rebuilds, and balances inflammation. That’s where hydrogen/oxygen inhalation therapy can play a transformative role, especially for athletes who value long-term performance, vitality and cellular health.
