Portable Low-Level Laser Therapy for Recovery After a Quadriceps-Dominant Fatiguing Task in Recreational Runners

This randomized, sham-controlled, two-period crossover study evaluated the effects of portable 808-nm low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on acute recovery and running biomechanics following a quadriceps-dominant fatiguing task in recreational runners. Twenty male recreational runners completed both active LLLT and sham conditions, separated by a 2-week washout period. After the fatiguing task, participants received 10 minutes of bilateral quadriceps LLLT or sham treatment, followed by treadmill running at the same fixed self-selected speed. Quadriceps soreness, heart rate, running spatiotemporal parameters, and kinematic responses were assessed using a verbal numerical rating scale, heart-rate monitoring, two-dimensional video analysis, and inertial measurement units.