Effects of low-level laser therapy in isokinetic muscle performance in older women

• Grant number: 13/05460-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: October 01, 2013
• End date: March 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Ana Claudia Muniz Renno
• Grantee: Patrícia Gabrielli Vassão Alves Arakaki
• Host Institution: Instituto de Saúde e Sociedade (ISS). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Baixada Santista. Santos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Aging involves several structural changes in the body leading to a decline of muscle function, particularly in woman. Within this context, the muscle strength is an important resource in both the prevention as treatment in the elderly and can be reduced by early muscle fatigue. The low-level laser therapy (LLLT) proves to be a resource capable of reducing muscle fatigue. The objective of this study is to analyze the influence of LLLT in the quadriceps femoral muscle performance in elderly women submitted a program of muscle strengthening. For this, 70 elderly women will be randomized into two groups: muscle training associated with laser therapy irradiation placebo (n = 26); laser therapy active (n = 26) and control group (n = 26). Analysis of peripheral muscle fatigue will be accomplished through surface electromyography and isokinetic muscle performance, analysis of blood markers and load values obtained in each reassessment of 1-Repetition Maximum (1-RM). Strength training will last 8 weeks and strengthening the quadriceps femoral muscle will be made in knee extension. The LLLT will be held after each training session over the quadriceps muscle of the dominant limb. Before the first ,after the last training session and 24 hours after this session the electromyographic activity of the quadriceps femoris muscle and the collection of blood samples will be made post-exercise protocol in isokinetic. Normality in terms of distribution of the sample will be investigated for choosing appropriate statistical tests. (AU)