Effect of light-emitting diodes therapy (LEDT) on knee extensor muscle fatigue.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of light-emitting diodes therapy (LEDT) on quadriceps muscle fatigue by using torque values from the isokinetic dynamometer as an outcome measure.


BACKGROUND
Light therapy is considered an innovative way to prevent muscle fatigue. Although positive results have been obtained in animal models and in clinical experiments, no results are available on the effects of this therapeutic modality on human performance studies with isokinetic dynamometry.


METHODS
Seventeen healthy and physically active male volunteers were included in a crossover randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled trial. They performed two sessions of an isokinetic fatigue test (30 maximal concentric knee flexion-extension contractions; range of motion, 90 degrees; angular velocity, 180 degrees per second) after LEDT or placebo treatment. Maximal knee extensor muscle isokinetic voluntary contractions were performed before (PRE-MVC) and after (POST-MVC) the fatigue test. LEDT treatment was performed with a multidiode cluster probe (34 red diodes of 660 nm, 10 mW; 35 infrared diodes of 850 nm, 30 mW) at three points of the quadriceps muscle, with a total irradiating dose of 125.1 J.


RESULTS
No differences were observed in the PRE-MVC between LEDT (284.81 ± 4.52 Nm) and placebo (282.65 ± 52.64 Nm) treatments. However, for the POST-MVC, higher torques (p = 0.034) were observed for LEDT (237.68 ± 48.82 Nm) compared with placebo (225.68 ± 44.14 Nm) treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
LEDT treatment produced a smaller maximal isometric torque decrease after high-intensity concentric isokinetic exercise, which is consistent with an increase in performance.
Baroni
Bruno Manfredini
BM
Exercise Research Laboratory (LAPEX), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre RS, Brazil. bmbaroni@yahoo.com.br
Leal Junior
Ernesto Cesar Pinto
EC
Geremia
Jeam Marcel
JM
Diefenthaeler
Fernando
F
Vaz
Marco Aurélio
MA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000528:radiation effects; D018763:Muscle Fatigue / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D012016:Reference Values; D055815:Young Adult