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Int J Sports Med
DOI: 10.1055/a-2564-8876
Physiology & Biochemistry

Photobiomodulation before blood flow restriction exercises: a randomized clinical trial

Joao Vitor Ferlito 
1   Laboratory of Oxidative Stress and Antioxidants, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Caxias do Sul, Caxias do Sul, Brazil (Ringgold ID: RIN58802)
,
Marcos Vinicius Ferlito
1   Laboratory of Oxidative Stress and Antioxidants, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Caxias do Sul, Caxias do Sul, Brazil (Ringgold ID: RIN58802)
,
Nicholas Rolnick
2   Exercise Science, Lehman College, The Bronx, USA (Ringgold ID: RIN58802)
,
Daniel Mauer Ferreira
1   Laboratory of Oxidative Stress and Antioxidants, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Caxias do Sul, Caxias do Sul, Brazil (Ringgold ID: RIN58802)
,
Ernesto P Leal-Junior
3   Laboratory of Phototherapy and Innovative Technologies in Health (LaPIT), Universidade Nove de Julho, São Paulo, Brazil (Ringgold ID: RIN2008)
,
Thiago De Marchi
3   Laboratory of Phototherapy and Innovative Technologies in Health (LaPIT), Universidade Nove de Julho, São Paulo, Brazil (Ringgold ID: RIN2008)
,
Catia Santos Branco
1   Laboratory of Oxidative Stress and Antioxidants, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Caxias do Sul, Caxias do Sul, Brazil (Ringgold ID: RIN58802)
› Author AffiliationsRegistration number (trial ID): RBR-3623xj, Trial registry: Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/), Type of Study: Randomized Clinical trial
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Abstract

This study investigate the effects of photobiomodulation therapy applied before exercises with blood flow restriction during low-load or high-load exercises on muscle adaptations, muscle damage, and redox status. Forty-five untrained men were randomly assigned to four groups: photobiomodulation therapy-blood flow restriction (30% of maximal isometric voluntary contraction), placebo-blood flow restriction (30% of maximal isometric voluntary contraction), photobiomodulation therapy-high-load exercise (80% of maximal isometric voluntary contraction), and placebo-high-load exercise (80% of maximal isometric voluntary contraction). Elbow flexion exercises were performed twice weekly for 8 weeks, followed by a 4-week detraining period. After 8 weeks, photobiomodulation therapy-blood flow restriction, photobiomodulation therapy-high-load exercises, and placebo-blood flow restriction groups significantly increased muscle strength (p<0.05) with non-significant increases in the placebo-high-load exercise group. The photobiomodulation therapy-blood flow restriction group demonstrated a superior magnitude of effects compared to the placebo-high-load exercise (+10.2%) and placebo-blood flow restriction (+7%; p<0.008) groups. Only the placebo-blood flow restriction group reduced the fatigue index post-intervention. During the detraining period, both blood flow restriction groups maintained superior muscle strength compared to baseline levels. The placebo-high-load exercise group exhibited higher creatine kinase activity post-exercise compared to the other groups. No significant changes were observed in nitric oxide, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, carbonylated proteins, or total antioxidant capacity immediately post-exercise. However, the total antioxidant capacity levels were increased in all groups after 8 weeks of exercise and following a 4-week detraining period. Overall, the photobiomodulation therapy-blood flow restriction group promoted greater gains in muscle strength compared to the placebo-high-load exercise and placebo-blood flow restriction groups.

Keywords

Free radicals - Laser therapy - Muscle strength - Blood flow occlusion


Publication History

Received: 24 August 2024

Accepted after revision: 20 March 2025

Article published online:
18 April 2025

© 2025. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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