Clinical and Scientific Recommendations for the Use of Photobiomodulation Therapy in Exercise Performance Enhancement and Post-Exercise Recovery: Current Evidence and Future Directions

This expert review aimed to provide evidence-based clinical recommendations for using photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) to improve exercise performance and accelerate post-exercise recovery. Researchers analyzed existing clinical studies to identify the most effective treatment parameters, dosing ranges, timing, and application protocols for athletes and physically active individuals.

Why This Study Is Important

One major challenge in photobiomodulation research is that results can vary depending on:

  • Wavelength
  • Energy dose
  • Treatment timing
  • Muscle size
  • Device type
  • Number of treatment points

This review was designed to help standardize PBMT protocols and provide practical recommendations based on available scientific evidence.

Key Findings

Researchers concluded that photobiomodulation therapy can:

  • Improve exercise performance
  • Increase muscular endurance
  • Delay fatigue
  • Enhance recovery after exercise
  • Reduce exercise-induced muscle damage markers
  • Support athletic performance and training adaptation when properly applied

The review emphasized that PBMT has a clear therapeutic dose window, meaning results depend heavily on using the correct treatment parameters.

Recommended Treatment Parameters

Based on the available evidence, researchers recommended:

  • Wavelengths between approximately 640 nm and 950 nm
  • Red and near-infrared light combinations
  • Application before exercise for performance enhancement
  • Appropriate dosing based on muscle size
  • Direct application to target muscles prior to training or competition

Suggested Energy Doses

Researchers recommended:

  • 20–60 Joules for smaller muscle groups
  • 60–300 Joules for larger muscle groups

These ranges were identified as the most consistently effective in performance-related studies.

Timing Before Exercise

The review found that PBMT is often most effective when applied:

  • Approximately 5 minutes to 6 hours before exercise
  • Particularly as a pre-conditioning strategy to prepare muscles for performance and reduce fatigue development

How Photobiomodulation May Improve Performance

Researchers explain that PBMT may work by:

  • Increasing mitochondrial ATP production
  • Enhancing cellular energy availability
  • Improving oxygen utilization
  • Reducing oxidative stress
  • Supporting muscle metabolism
  • Accelerating tissue repair and recovery processes

These mechanisms help explain why athletes may experience improved endurance, reduced fatigue, and faster recovery after exercise.

Recovery Benefits

The review noted evidence supporting PBMT for:

  • Faster recovery between training sessions
  • Reduced muscle soreness
  • Reduced muscle damage biomarkers
  • Improved muscle function after strenuous exercise
  • Better maintenance of training performance over time

Future Research Needs

Researchers emphasized that:

  • More standardized clinical trials are needed.
  • Device specifications vary considerably.
  • Treatment protocols continue to evolve.
  • Further research will help refine optimal dosing and timing strategies.

Conclusion

The authors concluded that photobiomodulation therapy is a promising evidence-based strategy for improving exercise performance and supporting post-exercise recovery. The review provides practical recommendations for clinicians, sports medicine professionals, and athletes seeking to use red and near-infrared light therapy effectively.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30591412/

Back to Science