Photobiomodulation therapy for the improvement of muscular performance and reduction of muscular fatigue associated with exercise in healthy people: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Author(s)

Vanin, Adriane Aver ^{[1, 2]} ; Verhagen, Evert ^{[3, 4]} ; Barboza, Saulo Delfino ^[4] ; Pena Costa, Leonardo Oliveira ^{[5, 6]} ; Pinto Leal-Junior, Ernesto Cesar ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Nove Julho UNINOVE, Postgrad Program Rehabil Sci, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Nove Julho UNINOVE, Lab Phototherapy Sports & Exercise, Rua Vergueiro 235-249, BR-01504001 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[3] IOC Res Ctr Prevent Injury & Protect Athlete Hlth, Amsterdam Collaborat Hlth & Safety Sports, Amsterdam - Netherlands

^[4] Vrije Univ Amsterdam Med Ctr, Inst Hlth & Care Res, Dept Publ & Occupat Hlth, Amsterdam - Netherlands

^[5] Univ Cidade Sao Paulo, Masters Program Phys Therapy, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[6] Univ Cidade Sao Paulo, Doctoral Program Phys Therapy, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Review article
• Source: Lasers in Medical Science; v. 33, n. 1, p. 181-214, JAN 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 25

Abstract

Researches have been performed to investigate the effects of phototherapy on improving performance and reduction of muscular fatigue. However, a great variability in the light parameters and protocols of the trials are a concern to establish the efficacy of this therapy to be used in sports or clinic. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness, moment of application of phototherapy within an exercise protocol, and which are the parameters optimally effective for the improvement of muscular performance and the reduction of muscular fatigue in healthy people. Systematic searches of PubMed, PEDro, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases were conducted for randomized clinical trials to March 2017. Analyses of risk of bias and quality of evidence of the included trials were performed, and authors were contacted to obtain any missing or unclear information. We included 39 trials (861 participants). Data were reported descriptively through tables, and 28 trials were included in meta-analysis comparing outcomes to placebo. Meta-analysis was performed for the variables: time until reach exhaustion, number of repetitions, isometric peak torque, and blood lactate levels showing a very low to moderate quality of evidence and some effect in favor to phototherapy. Further investigation is required due the lack of methodological quality, small sample size, great variability of exercise protocols, and phototherapy parameters. In general, positive results were found using both low-level laser therapy and light-emitting diode therapy or combination of both in a wavelength range from 655 to 950 nm. Most of positive results were observed with an energy dose range from 20 to 60 J for small muscular groups and 60 to 300 J for large muscular groups and maximal power output of 200 mW per diode. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/19619-6 - Phototherapy Applied in Association to Hypertrophy Training: Evaluation in Different Protocols of Irradiation
• Grantee: Adriane Aver Vanin
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 10/52404-0 - Low-level laser therapy in skeletal muscle fatigue and post-exercise recovery: Optimal parameters and effects in long-duration exercise
• Grantee: Ernesto Cesar Pinto Leal Junior
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/19355-3 - Phototherapy associated to muscular training: Evaluation of different protocols of irradiation
• Grantee: Adriane Aver Vanin
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate