Recent research by sports science professors in the School of Health Professions and Human Services suggests that whole-body photobiomodulation therapy, also knowns as low-level laser therapy, may be effective in helping muscles recover after strenuous exercise.
The study, “The Effects of Whole-Body Photobiomodulation Light-Bed Therapy on Creatine Kinase and Salivary Interleukin-6 in a Sample of Trained Males: A Randomized, Crossover Study,” was published in Frontiers in Sports and Active Living. Jamie Ghigiarelli, PhD, lead researcher and director of the MS in Sports Science program, also wrote about this work for Research Outreach.
Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT), which uses near-infrared light, has shown some promise as a non-thermal approach to alleviate pain, promote tissue regrowth, and minimize inflammation. Hand-held PBMT devices, which target one or two muscles, are typically used in most clinics.
“We had the opportunity to test a whole-body machine which can be used on larger muscle groups, but research has been lacking in the past because they are so expensive for exercise facilities to obtain,” Dr. Ghigiarelli said. “Studying this method to improve recovery from exercise can not only help performance, but also reduce the incidence of injury.”
In the study, Dr. Ghigiarelli applied whole-body PBMT on 12 male participants before and after high-intensity training. Notably, the results showed those with PBMT had an 18% lower level of creatine kinase (CK), an enzyme released in the blood when muscles are damaged, in the 24-72 hours after exercise, compared to those who did not receive PBMT.
This moderate effect for decreasing CK activity at a dose of 15 minutes immediately before and after high-intensity resistance training suggests that PBMT is a possible strategy to implement during periods of recovery, but more research is needed to support the findings, according to the researchers.
Co-authors on the study include Katie Sell, PhD, and Adam Gonzalez, PhD, who also teach in Hofstra’s undergraduate exercise science and graduate sports science programs.
