Photobiomodulation Therapy in a Field Test With High-level Rugby Players

Background/Aim: While growing evidence supports the use of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) for performance and recovery enhancement, there have only been laboratory-controlled studies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the effects of PBMT in performance and recovery of high-level rugby players during an anaerobic field test. Methods: It is a randomized, crossover, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Twelve male high-level rugby athletes were recruited in this study. No intervention was performed before the Bangsbo Sprint Test (BST) at familiarization phase (week 1). At weeks 2 and 3, pre-exercise PBMT or placebo were randomly applied to each athlete. PBMT/placebo irradiation was performed at 17 sites of each lower limb, employing a cluster with 12 diodes (4 laser diodes of 905nm, 4 LED diodes of 875nm, and 4 LED diodes of 640nm, 30J per site - manufactured by Multi Radiance Medical™). Average time of sprints, best time of sprints, and fatigue index were obtained from BST. Blood lactate levels were assessed at baseline, and at 3, 10, 30 and 60 minutes after BST. Athletes' perceived fatigue was also assessed through a questionnaire.