Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy at 904 nm mitigates effects of exercise-induced skeletal muscle fatigue in young women

Abstract

Muscle fatigue is a process influenced by several mechanisms such as concentration of metabolic substrates, changes in blood flow, and increases in reactive oxygen species that impair contractile muscle function. In this context, photobiomodulation has been investigated for preventing muscle fatigue, with reports of positive effects on muscle performance. This study aimed to investigate the effects of 904-nm LASER photobiomodulation on rectus femoris muscle performance in young women. Eighteen young women participated in a randomized, participant and assessor-blinded crossover trial with placebo control. Active LASER (904 nm, 60 mW, 250 Hz, 3.6 J per diode, total dose of 129.6 J) intervention was applied prior to an isokinetic fatigue protocol consisting of a set of 60 concentric quadricep contractions at a constant dynamometer angular velocity of 180°/s. Compared to placebo, LASER photobiomodulation significantly reduced muscle fatigue across a range of indicators including reduced ratings of perceived exertion (P = 0.0139), and increased electromyographic fatigue index (EFI) (P = 0.005). The isokinetic dynamometer performance analysis demonstrated that LASER photobiomodulation increased peak torque (P = 0.04), time to peak torque (P = 0.042), total work (P = 0.032), average power (P = 0.0007), and average peak torque (P = 0.019) between both experimental conditions. No significant difference was observed for work fatigue index (P = 0.29) or for lactate concentration (P > 0.05). Photobiomodulation at 904 nm was effective in reducing fatigue levels and increasing muscle performance in young active women but had no effect on lactate levels.

Acquired Resilience: An Evolved System of Tissue Protection in Mammals

“…A small number of studies of the neuroprotective action of lycopene have appeared. In animal studies, for example, Lei and colleagues 176 reported that pretreatment of rats reduced cell death and functional loss in a model of stroke, the effect involving the NF erythroid 2/heme-oxygenase pathway; Yin and colleagues 177 reported that cognitive impairment induced in rats by consumption of fructose is ameliorated by lycopene administration; Prakash and Kumar 178 and Yi and colleagues 179 reported that lycopene reduces mitochondrial dysfunction in toxin-induced models of dementia and 157 Pinto et al, 158 Toma et al 159…”

Photobiomodulation Therapy at 808 nm Does Not Improve Biceps Brachii Performance to Exhaustion and Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness in Young Adult Women: A Randomized, Controlled, Crossover Trial

“…Two participants withdrew due to factors not related to the study. Sample size calculation for an F -test was performed using the software G ∗ Power (Axel Buchner, Version 3.0.1; Düsseldorf, Germany) and was based on previous studies that analyzed the effects of laser PBM on the number of repetitions performed ( Leal Junior et al, 2009 ) and RPE ( Toma et al, 2018 ). Based on a statistical power (1 − β) of 0.95, a moderate effect size (0.65) ( Leal Junior et al, 2009 ; Toma et al, 2018 ), and an overall level of significance of 0.05, at least 12 participants were required for this study.…”

“…Sample size calculation for an F -test was performed using the software G ∗ Power (Axel Buchner, Version 3.0.1; Düsseldorf, Germany) and was based on previous studies that analyzed the effects of laser PBM on the number of repetitions performed ( Leal Junior et al, 2009 ) and RPE ( Toma et al, 2018 ). Based on a statistical power (1 − β) of 0.95, a moderate effect size (0.65) ( Leal Junior et al, 2009 ; Toma et al, 2018 ), and an overall level of significance of 0.05, at least 12 participants were required for this study. The inclusion criteria were the following: (i) aged 18–30 years, (ii) classified as eutrophic [i.e., body mass index (BMI) range, 18–25 kg/m 2 ], and (iii) classified as low risk for vigorous exercising and testing, according to criteria proposed by the American College of Sports Medicine ( Ferguson, 2014 ).…”

“…An ergogenic aid is defined as any mechanical, psychological, physiological, pharmacological, or nutritional treatment that enhances energy production and utilization ( Williams, 1992 ) and thus improves exercise performance and recovery ( Kerksick et al, 2018 ). In this context, photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy, also known as low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT), has emerged as an important non-pharmacological strategy for improving performance ( Leal Junior et al, 2008 , 2009 , 2010 ; de Almeida et al, 2012 ; Toma et al, 2018 ) and recovery ( Leal Junior et al, 2010 ) from exercise in young adults. The theoretical basis underlying the ergogenic effects of PBM on muscle tissue is related to several mechanisms, including (i) increased production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) via modulation of mitochondrial activity, (ii) stimulation of defenses against oxidative stress, (iii) improvement of regenerative capacity by stimulation of satellite cells, and (iv) possible increased muscle fiber excitability (for more details, see the reviews, de Freitas and Hamblin, 2016 ; Ferraresi et al, 2016 ; Hamblin, 2017 ).…”

A Potential Role for Photobiomodulation Therapy in Disease Treatment and Prevention in the Era of COVID-19

“…PBM has been shown to improve the general health and resilience of cells and tissues. The effect of PBM to improve mitochondrial metabolism and ATP generation leads to increased muscle strength and performance in sports and athletics [58,59] and to reduced muscle wasting and degeneration in animal and cell culture models [60][61][62]. This makes it a candidate for treatment of COVID-19 cases under respiratory distress.…”