Pre Exercise Infrared Low Level Laser Therapy (810 nm) in Skeletal Muscle Performance and Postexercise Recovery in Humans, What Is the Optimal Dose? A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled Clinical Trial.
AIM This study aimed to evaluate the medium term effects of low level laser therapy (LLLT or photobiomodulation) in postexercise skeletal muscle recovery and performance enhancement and to identify the optimal dose of 810 nm LLLT. MATERIALS AND METHODS A randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial was performed, with voluntary participation of 28 high level soccer athletes. We analyzed maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) creatine kinase (CK) activity, and interleukin 6 (IL 6) expression. The assessments were performed before exercise protocols, after 1 min, and 1, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after the end of eccentric exercise protocol used to induce fatigue. LLLT was applied before eccentric exercise protocol with a cluster with five diodes, and dose of 10, 30, or 50 J (200 mW and 810 nm) in six sites of quadriceps. RESULTS LLLT increased (p 0.05) MVC from immediately after exercise to 24 h with 50 J dose, and from 24 to 96 h with 10 J dose. Both 10 J then 50 J dose decreased (p 0.05) CK and IL 6 with better results in favor of 50 J dose. However, LLLT had no effect in decreasing DOMS. No differences (p 0.05) were found for 30 J dose in any of the outcomes measured. CONCLUSIONS Pre exercise LLLT, mainly with 50 J dose, significantly increases performance and improves biochemical markers related to skeletal muscle damage and inflammation.
Photomedicine and laser surgery