Research

Sport Enhancement and Muscle Recovery

At the forefront of research related to athletic sports enhancement, Low Level LASER Therapy (LLLT), has demonstrated its superiority in a number of ways. The mitochondria within each cell of the body undergoes a photo(light)-chemical reaction to the photons emitted from the LASER and elicits a series of physiological changes for the tissue.

Over 4000 articles in well-respected journals internationally confirm, and at least one new paper daily is admitted to PubMed. Countless professional athletic teams and athletes are adding this as therapy.

How can LLLT give you a huge edge?

  • Significantly increases muscle endurance
  • FDA clearances for “TREATING” neck pain, back pain, plantar fasciitis, etc
  • Increases VO2 max
  • Boosts ATP production in the cells
  • Decreases inflammation unlike anything else
  • Improves running time
  • Aids in lymphatic drainage
  • Decreased post-exercise levels of blood lactate, creatine kinase, and C-reactive protein

Why is increasing cytochrome c oxidase important to an athlete? This is necessary for your mitochondria to be able to make ATP, which means ENERGY for your cells. More cytochrome c oxidase = more ATP = more energy = better sports performance. An athlete’s dream.
It gets even more amazing…

STEM CELL production

Cold LASERS, when applied to long bones, where bone marrow resides, can actually stimulate your body to make stem cells. Once the stem cells are live they can be used to repaire damaged muscle tissue, damaged heart tissue following a heart attack, or tissue in need for that matter.

Studies

When is the best moment to apply photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) when associated to a treadmill endurance-training program? A randomized, triple-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Miranda EF, et al. Lasers Med Sci, 2018
LASER Therapy applied before and after endurance-training exercise sessions lead to improvement of endurance 3x faster than exercise only.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Photobiomodulation in human muscle tissue: an advantage in sports performance?
Journal of Biophotonics, 2016
The results are so impactful that researchers even raise the question whether it should be allowed or not in international competition due to the advantage it gives a player in enhancing his or her performance!!

laser therapy “can increase muscle mass gained after training, and decrease inflammation and oxidative stress in muscle biopsies.”

“We raise the question of whether PBM [LASER Therapy] should be permitted in athletic competition by international regulatory authorities.”

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Does phototherapy enhance skeletal muscle contractile function and postexercise recovery? A systematic review
J Athletic Training, 2013
Laser therapy “administered to skeletal muscle immediately before resistance exercise can enhance contractile function, prevent exercise-induced cell damage, and improve postexercise recovery of strength and function.”

laser therapy done before sports could “positively affect physical performance by delaying the onset of fatigue, reducing the fatigue response…and protecting cells from exercise-induced damage.”

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Photobiomodulation Therapy is More Effective than Cryotherapy for Skeletal Muscle Recovery: A Critically Appraised Topic
J Sport Rehabil, 2018
Cryotherapy is one of the most commonly used modalities for post-exercise muscle recovery despite inconsistencies in the literature validating its effectiveness.
All 5 studies supported the use of PBMT [LASER] over cryotherapy as a treatment for post-exercise muscle recovery following exercise. PBMT was superior in reducing creatine kinase, inflammation markers, and blood lactate compared to cryotherapy following strenuous/high intensity aerobic or strength muscular exercise. PBMT was also shown to improve post-exercise muscle performance and function more than cryotherapy. Clinical Bottom Line: There is moderate evidence to suggest the use of PBMT over cryotherapy post-exercise to enhance muscle recovery in trained and untrained athletes. Shorter recovery times and increased muscle performance can be seen 24 to 96 hours following PBMT application.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Improvement of Performance and Reduction of Fatigue With Low-Level Laser Therapy in Competitive Cyclists
International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 2017
“LASER Therapy increased time-to-exhaustion in competitive cyclists, suggesting this intervention as a possible non-pharmacological ergogenic agent in cycling.”
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Photobiomodulation Therapy Improves Performance and Accelerates Recovery of High-Level Rugby Players in Field Test: A Randomized, Crossover, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, Dec 2016
“Photobiomodulation LASER therapy significantly improved the average time of sprints and fatigue index.. significantly decreased percentage of change in blood lactate levels and perceived fatigue.”
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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
Lasers in Medical Science, 2016
“With an apparent lack of side effects and safety due to no thermal damage to the tissue, we conclude that the application of [Low Level LASER] 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.”
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Low level laser therapy for sports injuries
Laser Therarpy, 2013
Conclusions: LLLT is an effective treatment for sports injuries, particularly jumper’s knee, tennis elbow and Achilles tendinitis.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Effect of phototherapy (low-level laser therapy and light-emitting diode therapy) on exercise performance and markers of exercise recovery: a systematic review with meta-analysis
Lasers Med Science, 2015
Lasers in Medical Science found that laser therapy “improves muscular performance and accelerates recovery mainly when applied before exercise.”
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Phototherapy in skeletal muscle performance and recovery after exercise: effect of combination of super-pulsed laser and light-emitting diodes
Lasers in Medical Science, 2014
LASER therapy BEFORE exercise “significantly increases performance, decreases DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) , and improves biochemical markers related to skeletal muscle damage.”
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Effect of cluster multi-diode light emitting diode therapy (LEDT) on exercise-induced skeletal muscle fatigue and skeletal muscle recovery in humans
Lasers Surg Med, 2009
What is great about this study is that they also used blood tests to verify that the lasers had an impact. Several studies showed lasers decreased:
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Effect of pre-irradiation with different doses, wavelengths, and application intervals of low-level laser therapy on cytochrome c oxidase activity in intact skeletal muscle of rat
Lasers in Medical Science, 2015
Laser therapy “can increase cytochrome c oxidase activity in intact skeletal muscle and …can enhance performance and protect skeletal muscles against fatigue development and tissue damage.”
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) on muscle tissue: performance, fatigue and repair benefited by the power of light
Journal Photonics & Lasers in Medicine, 2012
“The ability of LASER Therapy to stimulate stem cells and progenitor cells means that muscle satellite cells may respond well to LASER Therapy and help muscle repair.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Photobiomodulation therapy reduces apoptotic factors and increases glutathione levels in a neuropathic pain model
Lasers Med Science, 2016
LLLT has a significant impact on NO (Nitric Oxide) release without affecting cell viability.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Effects of low level laser therapy (808 nm) on physical strength training in humans
Lasers Med Science, 2011
The LASER group was the only group to show an increase in muscle performance (55% in the 1 repetition leg-press test) in the isokinetic dynamometry test. 25% better performance than those who did strength training alone.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Low-level laser therapy improves the VO2 kinetics in competitive cyclists
Lasers Med Science, 2017
“Low-level laser therapy improves the VO2 kinetics in competitive cyclists.” Or in other words the muscle can handle more power.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Effect of phototherapy (low-level laser therapy and light-emitting diode therapy) on exercise performance and markers of exercise recovery: a systematic review with meta-analysis
Lasers Med Science, 2015
The most significant and consistent results were found with red or infrared wavelengths and phototherapy application before exercises, power outputs between 50 and 200 mW and doses of 5 and 6 J per point (spot). We conclude that phototherapy LASER Therapy improves muscular performance and accelerate recovery mainly when applied before exercise.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Phototherapy in skeletal muscle performance and recovery after exercise: effect of combination of super-pulsed laser and light-emitting diodes
Lasers Med Science, 2014
Pre-exercise phototherapy with combination of low-level laser and LEDs, mainly with 30 Joules (J) dose, significantly increases performance, decreases DOMS, and improves biochemical marker related to skeletal muscle damage.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Comparison between cold water immersion therapy (CWIT) and light emitting diode therapy (LEDT) in short-term skeletal muscle recovery after high-intensity exercise in athletes--preliminary results
Lasers Med Science, 2011
Light Emitting Diode Therapy has better potential than 5 min of (Cold Water Immersion therapy) CWIT for improving short-term post-exercise recovery.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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