The Influence of Phototherapy on Recovery From Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage
# Background Intense physical activity can result in exercise-induced muscle damage, delayed-onset muscle soreness, and decrements in performance. Phototherapy (PhT), sometimes referred to as photobiomodulation or low-level laser therapy, may enhance recovery from vigorous exercise. # Purpose The...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
North American Sports Medicine Institute
2022-06-01
|
| Series: | International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.34422 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1825197018565312512 |
|---|---|
| author | Anthony D'Amico Kevin Silva Alejandro Rubero Steven Dion Jason Gillis Joseph Gallo |
| author_facet | Anthony D'Amico Kevin Silva Alejandro Rubero Steven Dion Jason Gillis Joseph Gallo |
| author_sort | Anthony D'Amico |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | # Background
Intense physical activity can result in exercise-induced muscle damage, delayed-onset muscle soreness, and decrements in performance. Phototherapy (PhT), sometimes referred to as photobiomodulation or low-level laser therapy, may enhance recovery from vigorous exercise.
# Purpose
The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of phototherapy on functional movements (vertical jump, agility), and perceptions of muscle soreness following exercise-induced muscle damage caused by high volume sprinting and decelerations.
# Methods
In a between-group design, 33 participants performed 40x15m sprints, a protocol intended to cause muscle damage. Immediately following sprinting and in the four days following, vertical jump and agility were assessed, as well as calf, hamstring, quadriceps, and overall perceptions of soreness. Sixteen subjects (age 20.6±1.6 yrs; BMI 25.8±4.6 kg.m-2) received PhT prior to testing each day, while 17 (age 20.8±1.3 yrs; BMI 26.2±4.5 kg.m-2) received sham PhT and served as a control (CON). Measurements were recorded during five days of recovery from the repeated sprint protocol, then compared to those recorded during three baseline days of familiarization. Area under the curve was calculated by summing all five scores, and comparing those values by condition via a two-tailed unpaired t-test for normally distributed data, and a two-tailed Mann-Whitney U test for nonparametric data (alpha level = 0.05).
# Results
Calf soreness was lower in PhT compared to CON (*p* = 0.02), but no other significant differences were observed between groups for vertical jump, agility, quadriceps, hamstring, and overall soreness (*p* \> 0.05).
# Discussion
Phototherapy may attenuate soreness in some muscle groups following exercise-induced muscle damage, but may not enhance recovery after explosive, short-duration activities.
# Conclusion
Phototherapy may not be a useful recovery tool for those participating in explosive, short-duration activities.
# Level of evidence
2c |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7676b92fd07f4902a82c400f539c50bb |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2159-2896 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
| publisher | North American Sports Medicine Institute |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy |
| spelling | doaj-art-7676b92fd07f4902a82c400f539c50bb2025-02-11T20:28:07ZengNorth American Sports Medicine InstituteInternational Journal of Sports Physical Therapy2159-28962022-06-01174The Influence of Phototherapy on Recovery From Exercise-Induced Muscle DamageAnthony D'AmicoKevin SilvaAlejandro RuberoSteven DionJason GillisJoseph Gallo# Background Intense physical activity can result in exercise-induced muscle damage, delayed-onset muscle soreness, and decrements in performance. Phototherapy (PhT), sometimes referred to as photobiomodulation or low-level laser therapy, may enhance recovery from vigorous exercise. # Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of phototherapy on functional movements (vertical jump, agility), and perceptions of muscle soreness following exercise-induced muscle damage caused by high volume sprinting and decelerations. # Methods In a between-group design, 33 participants performed 40x15m sprints, a protocol intended to cause muscle damage. Immediately following sprinting and in the four days following, vertical jump and agility were assessed, as well as calf, hamstring, quadriceps, and overall perceptions of soreness. Sixteen subjects (age 20.6±1.6 yrs; BMI 25.8±4.6 kg.m-2) received PhT prior to testing each day, while 17 (age 20.8±1.3 yrs; BMI 26.2±4.5 kg.m-2) received sham PhT and served as a control (CON). Measurements were recorded during five days of recovery from the repeated sprint protocol, then compared to those recorded during three baseline days of familiarization. Area under the curve was calculated by summing all five scores, and comparing those values by condition via a two-tailed unpaired t-test for normally distributed data, and a two-tailed Mann-Whitney U test for nonparametric data (alpha level = 0.05). # Results Calf soreness was lower in PhT compared to CON (*p* = 0.02), but no other significant differences were observed between groups for vertical jump, agility, quadriceps, hamstring, and overall soreness (*p* \> 0.05). # Discussion Phototherapy may attenuate soreness in some muscle groups following exercise-induced muscle damage, but may not enhance recovery after explosive, short-duration activities. # Conclusion Phototherapy may not be a useful recovery tool for those participating in explosive, short-duration activities. # Level of evidence 2chttps://doi.org/10.26603/001c.34422 |
| spellingShingle | Anthony D'Amico Kevin Silva Alejandro Rubero Steven Dion Jason Gillis Joseph Gallo The Influence of Phototherapy on Recovery From Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy |
| title | The Influence of Phototherapy on Recovery From Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage |
| title_full | The Influence of Phototherapy on Recovery From Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage |
| title_fullStr | The Influence of Phototherapy on Recovery From Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Influence of Phototherapy on Recovery From Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage |
| title_short | The Influence of Phototherapy on Recovery From Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage |
| title_sort | influence of phototherapy on recovery from exercise induced muscle damage |
| url | https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.34422 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT anthonydamico theinfluenceofphototherapyonrecoveryfromexerciseinducedmuscledamage AT kevinsilva theinfluenceofphototherapyonrecoveryfromexerciseinducedmuscledamage AT alejandrorubero theinfluenceofphototherapyonrecoveryfromexerciseinducedmuscledamage AT stevendion theinfluenceofphototherapyonrecoveryfromexerciseinducedmuscledamage AT jasongillis theinfluenceofphototherapyonrecoveryfromexerciseinducedmuscledamage AT josephgallo theinfluenceofphototherapyonrecoveryfromexerciseinducedmuscledamage AT anthonydamico influenceofphototherapyonrecoveryfromexerciseinducedmuscledamage AT kevinsilva influenceofphototherapyonrecoveryfromexerciseinducedmuscledamage AT alejandrorubero influenceofphototherapyonrecoveryfromexerciseinducedmuscledamage AT stevendion influenceofphototherapyonrecoveryfromexerciseinducedmuscledamage AT jasongillis influenceofphototherapyonrecoveryfromexerciseinducedmuscledamage AT josephgallo influenceofphototherapyonrecoveryfromexerciseinducedmuscledamage |