Whole-Body Photobiomodulation Use in Professional Soccer Players During a State Championship

Overview

This study aims to investigate the effects of whole-body photobiomodulation on professional soccer players during a state championship. The primary question is whether photobiomodulation improves recovery, reduces muscle fatigue, and enhances performance compared to standard training without photobiomodulation.

Detailed description

Detailed Description:

This randomized, controlled clinical trial aims to evaluate the effects of whole-body photobiomodulation (PBM) on recovery and performance in professional soccer players during a state championship.

The intervention will be performed twice weekly on non-consecutive days for 8 weeks, in combination with each athlete's standard training routine. Participants will be allocated to either an active PBM group or a sham PBM group, both following identical procedures to maintain blinding.

Throughout the study, participants will complete scheduled assessments at baseline, during, and after the 8-week period to monitor performance, muscle soreness, and hematological responses. Data will be analyzed using appropriate statistical tests, with a significance level of 5% (two-tailed).

Interventions

• Radiation Whole-Body Photobiomodulation (PBM) (Active PBM)
  This intervention consists of whole-body photobiomodulation delivered using a full-body PBM device. Sessions are performed twice weekly on non-consecutive days for 8 weeks, coinciding with the athletes' standard training. The device emits therapeutic light at specified wavelengths and power, targeting the entire body. The protocol is standardized according to prior research, ensuring consistent exposure for all participants in the active arm. The intervention aims to improve muscle performance a
• Radiation Sham PBM
  Intervention Description (Sham PBM): Participants receive a sham photobiomodulation intervention using the same device and schedule, but without emission of therapeutic light. The procedure mimics the active intervention to maintain blinding while allowing comparison of outcomes, including muscle performance, DOMS, and blood markers.

Primary outcome measures

• Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) [Time frame: Baseline (T1), weekly (T2, weeks 1-8), and end of week 8 (T3).]

Secondary outcome measures (3)

• Knee Extensor Strength (Hand-Held Dynamometry) [Time frame: Baseline (T1), weekly (T2, weeks 1-8), end of week 8 (T3)]
• Squat Jump (SJ) Height [Time frame: Baseline (T1), weekly (T2, weeks 1-8), end of week 8 (T3) Unit: cm]
• Countermovement Jump (CMJ) Height [Time frame: Baseline (T1), weekly (T2, weeks 1-8), end of week 8 (T3)]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

• Male professional soccer players currently competing in the championship
• Age 18-35 years
• Training frequency ≥5 times per week
• Able to attend all PBM/sham sessions and all assessments during the 8-week intervention
• Signed informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Lower-limb musculoskeletal injury in the last 6 months or currently receiving treatment
• Current use of phototherapy or any other recovery-enhancing modality
• Chronic medical conditions that may affect performance or recovery
• Known sensitivity or contraindication to light-based therapies
• Inability to comply with the intervention or training schedule

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: Yes

Study design

Allocation

Randomized

Model

Parallel assignment

Masking

Triple blind

Primary purpose

Treatment

Study locations

Brazil · 1 center

• Desportivo Brasil Training Center — Porto Feliz

Publications

• Zagatto AM, Dutra YM, Lira FS, Antunes BM, Faustini JB, Malta ES, Lopes VHF, de Poli RAB, Brisola GMP, Dos Santos GV, Rodrigues FM, Ferraresi C. Full Body Photobiomodulation Therapy to Induce Faster Muscle Recovery in Water Polo Athletes: Preliminary Results. Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg. 2020 Dec;38(12):766-772. doi: 10.1089/photob.2020.4803. PMID 33332232
• Vanin AA, Verhagen E, Barboza SD, Costa LOP, Leal-Junior ECP. 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. Lasers Med Sci. 2018 Jan;33(1):181-214. doi: 10.1007/s10103-017-2368-6. Epub 2017 Oct 31. PMID 29090398
• Van Hooren B, Zolotarjova J. The Difference Between Countermovement and Squat Jump Performances: A Review of Underlying Mechanisms With Practical Applications. J Strength Cond Res. 2017 Jul;31(7):2011-2020. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000001913. PMID 28640774
• Thong ISK, Jensen MP, Miro J, Tan G. The validity of pain intensity measures: what do the NRS, VAS, VRS, and FPS-R measure? Scand J Pain. 2018 Jan 26;18(1):99-107. doi: 10.1515/sjpain-2018-0012. PMID 29794282
• Rochkind S, Geuna S, Shainberg A. Chapter 25: Phototherapy in peripheral nerve injury: effects on muscle preservation and nerve regeneration. Int Rev Neurobiol. 2009;87:445-64. doi: 10.1016/S0074-7742(09)87025-6. PMID 19682654
• Oliveira FS, Pinfildi CE, Parizoto NA, Liebano RE, Bossini PS, Garcia EB, Ferreira LM. Effect of low level laser therapy (830 nm) with different therapy regimes on the process of tissue repair in partial lesion calcaneous tendon. Lasers Surg Med. 2009 Apr;41(4):271-6. doi: 10.1002/lsm.20760. PMID 19347936
• Medeiros DM, Aimi M, Vaz MA, Baroni BM. Effects of low-level laser therapy on hamstring strain injury rehabilitation: A randomized controlled trial. Phys Ther Sport. 2020 Mar;42:124-130. doi: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2020.01.006. Epub 2020 Jan 10. PMID 31991284
• Lesnak J, Anderson D, Farmer B, Katsavelis D, Grindstaff TL. VALIDITY OF HAND-HELD DYNAMOMETRY IN MEASURING QUADRICEPS STRENGTH AND RATE OF TORQUE DEVELOPMENT. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2019 Apr;14(2):180-187. PMID 30997270

Identifiers

NCT: NCT07224646 · 84660524.7.0000.5504

Primary sources (government registries)

• ClinicalTrials.gov (US NIH)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗