Effects of far infrared rays emitting clothing on recovery after an intense plyometric exercise bout applied to elite soccer players: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial

Abstract

The aim was to investigate the effects of far infrared (FIR) ray emitting clothes on indirect markers of exercise-induced muscle damage and physical performance recovery after a plyometric bout applied to soccer players. Twenty-one male players (18.9±0.6 years; 70.8±5.01 kg; 178.3±0.06 cm) performed 100 drop-jumps. Six hours after the bout, athletes put on FIR clothes (FIR) (density of 225 g·m-2, 88% far infrared rays emitting polyamide 66 Emana yarn (PA66) fibre, 12% Spandex, emissivity of 0.88 and power emitted of 341 W/m2µm at 37°C in the 5-20 µm wavelength range, patent WO 2009/077834 A2) (N = 10) or placebo clothes (PLA) (N = 11). Mid-thigh circumferences, creatine kinase (CK), and delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) were assessed before, immediately after and 24, 48, and 72 h after the bout. Squat (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ) heights were measured before and at 24, 48, and 72 h after, while 1RM leg press (maximum strength) was measured before and at 72 h after the plyometrics. No differences between groups were found in mid-thigh circumferences, SJ, CMJ or 1RM. CK increased significantly 24 h after the plyometrics in comparison to before (p < 0.05) in both groups. PLA showed significant DOMS increases at 24, 48, and 72 h, while FIR showed significant increases at 24 and 48 h (p < 0.05). DOMS effect sizes were greater in FIR (moderate at 48 h, ES = 0.737 and large at 72 h, ES = 0.844), suggesting that FIR clothes may reduce perceived DOMS after an intense plyometric session performed by soccer players.

Biological effects and medical applications of infrared radiation

“…These garments were used for 10 hours as sleepwear over three successive nights to relieve delayed-onset muscle soreness at 48 h after an intense plyometric exercise session [33]. …”

Effects of Far‐Infrared Emitting Ceramic Material Clothing on Recovery After Maximal Eccentric Exercise

“…Strategies that aid skeletal muscle recovery from damage and promote anti-inflammatory responses via practical methods are deemed critical. Hence, recently use of bioceramic materials, also called Far-Infrared Emitting Ceramic Materials (cFIR), has been proposed as a post-exercise recovery method (Hausswirth et al, 2011;Loturco et al, 2016). Previous in vitro and animal model studies report that the emitted heat and radiation from FIR materials can increase blood circulation, facilitate cell growth (Vatansever and Hamblin, 2012) and tissue regeneration (Segovia et al, 2003), leading to calcium-dependent nitric oxide (NO) and calmodulin upregulation in different cell lines (Leung et al, 2009).…”

“…Bioceramics are produced by a combination of oxides (Vatansever and Hamblin, 2012), which reflect/emit high-performance farinfrared rays (FIR) (Segovia et al, 2003). FIRemitting polymers or ceramic nanoparticles have recently been incorporated into sports apparel to aid the facilitation and practical application of their use (Cian et al, 2015;Loturco et al, 2016). Accordingly, cFIR have become a promising method to reduce pain and induce tissue repair (Ko and Berbrayer, 2002;Leung et al, 2012;Loturco et al, 2016;Vatansever and Hamblin, 2012), however, conflicting results were reported regarding postexercise recovery improvement (Hausswirth et al, 2011;Leung et al, 2013;Loturco et al, 2016).…”

Comparison of Far Infrared Radiation and Warm Water Immersion on Recovery After Submaximal Physical Activity

“…Noponen [1] also found an increase in the recovery of anaerobic performance in power athletes when compared to the passive recovery modality. Laturco [14] revealed that FIR administration reduced Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) felt after plyometric training. Some studies state that heat therapy accelerates recovery more than cold therapy or passive recovery by sitting still.…”