title: What is the best moment to apply phototherapy when associated to a strength training program? A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial : Phototherapy in association to strength training.
abstract: The effects of phototherapy (or photobiomodulation therapy) with low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and/or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on human performance improvement have been widely studied. Few studies have examined its effect on muscular training and no studies have explored the necessary moment of phototherapy irradiations (i.e., before and/or after training sessions). The aim of this study was to determine the optimal moment to apply phototherapy irradiation when used in association with strength training. Forty-eight male volunteers (age between 18 to 35 years old) completed all procedures in this study. Volunteers performed the strength training protocol where either a phototherapy and/or placebo before and/or after each training session was performed using cluster probes with four laser diodes of 905 nm, four LEDs of 875 nm, and four LEDs of 640 nm-manufactured by Multi Radiance Medical™. The training protocol duration was 12 weeks with assessments of peak torque reached in maximum voluntary contraction test (MVC), load in 1-repetition maximum test (1-RM) and thigh circumference (perimetry) at larger cross-sectional area (CSA) at baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks. Volunteers from group treated with phototherapy before and placebo after training sessions showed significant (p < 0.05) changes in MVC and 1-RM tests for both exercises (leg extension and leg press) when compared to other groups. With an apparent lack of side effects and safety due to no thermal damage to the tissue, we conclude that the application of phototherapy yields enhanced strength gains when it is applied before exercise. The application may have additional beneficial value in post-injury rehabilitation where strength improvements are needed.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Phototherapy in Sports and Exercise, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.|Postgraduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Adriane Aver
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Vanin
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Phototherapy in Sports and Exercise, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.|Postgraduate Program in Biophotonics Applied to Health Sciences, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eduardo Foschini
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Miranda
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Phototherapy in Sports and Exercise, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Caroline Santos Monteiro
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Phototherapy in Sports and Exercise, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.|Postgraduate Program in Biophotonics Applied to Health Sciences, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paulo Roberto Vicente
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: de Paiva
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Phototherapy in Sports and Exercise, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.|Postgraduate Program in Biophotonics Applied to Health Sciences, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gianna Móes
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Albuquerque-Pontes
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Phototherapy in Sports and Exercise, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Heliodora Leão
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Casalechi
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Phototherapy in Sports and Exercise, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.|Postgraduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), São Paulo, Brazil.|Postgraduate Program in Biophotonics Applied to Health Sciences, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: de Tarso Camillo de Carvalho
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Phototherapy in Sports and Exercise, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), São Paulo, SP, Brazil. ernesto.leal.junior@gmail.com.|Postgraduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), São Paulo, Brazil. ernesto.leal.junior@gmail.com.|Postgraduate Program in Biophotonics Applied to Health Sciences, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), São Paulo, Brazil. ernesto.leal.junior@gmail.com.|Laboratory of Phototherapy in Sports and Exercise, Rua Vergueiro 235/249, CEP: 01504-001, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. ernesto.leal.junior@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ernesto Cesar Pinto
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Leal-Junior
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000528:radiation effects; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000379:methods*; D055070:Resistance Training; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Light-emitting diode; Low-level laser therapy; Muscle adaptation; Muscle fatigue; Photobiomodulation therapy; Phototherapy