Photobiomodulation and Sports: Results of a Narrative Review

This narrative review examined the growing evidence for photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) in sports performance and athletic recovery. Researchers reviewed clinical and experimental studies investigating whether red and near-infrared light therapy can improve physical performance, reduce fatigue, accelerate recovery, and support muscle function in athletes and active individuals.

Why Photobiomodulation Is Used in Sports

Researchers noted that athletes are constantly seeking safe, non-invasive methods to:

• Improve performance
• Increase endurance
• Recover faster after exercise
• Reduce muscle fatigue
• Maintain training intensity

Photobiomodulation has gained attention because it may enhance cellular energy production without drugs or invasive interventions.

How Red Light Therapy Works

The review explains that red and near-infrared light interact with mitochondria inside cells, particularly through cytochrome c oxidase, leading to:

• Increased ATP (cellular energy) production
• Improved oxygen utilization
• Enhanced muscle metabolism
• Reduced oxidative stress
• Better cellular repair and recovery processes

These biological effects may help muscles perform more efficiently and recover faster after intense exercise.

Key Findings

Researchers found evidence suggesting that photobiomodulation may:

• Improve athletic performance
• Increase muscular endurance
• Delay the onset of fatigue
• Improve muscle strength output
• Accelerate post-exercise recovery
• Reduce exercise-induced muscle damage markers
• Support repeated training performance

Many studies reported positive effects when PBMT was applied before exercise as a performance-enhancing strategy.

Performance Benefits

The review highlighted evidence showing improvements in:

• Strength performance
• Repetition capacity
• Endurance exercise outcomes
• Resistance training performance
• Muscle resistance to fatigue

Athletes receiving photobiomodulation often demonstrated better exercise performance compared with placebo groups.

Recovery Benefits

Researchers also found evidence that PBMT may:

• Reduce muscle soreness
• Improve recovery speed
• Reduce muscle damage biomarkers
• Improve restoration of muscle function
• Support faster return to training readiness

These effects may be especially valuable for athletes participating in frequent training sessions or competitions.

Pre-Exercise Application

One of the strongest findings involved pre-exercise photobiomodulation.

Researchers reported that applying PBMT before exercise may:

• Prepare muscles for activity
• Improve performance capacity
• Delay fatigue development
• Increase exercise tolerance

This pre-conditioning effect has become one of the most widely studied sports applications of photobiomodulation.

Limitations

The authors noted that:

• Treatment protocols vary across studies.
• Different wavelengths, doses, and devices are used.
• More standardized research is needed.
• Optimal treatment parameters continue to be refined.

Despite these limitations, the overall body of evidence was considered encouraging.

Conclusion

Researchers concluded that photobiomodulation therapy shows promising potential for enhancing sports performance and improving post-exercise recovery. Current evidence suggests that red and near-infrared light therapy may help athletes improve endurance, delay fatigue, reduce muscle damage, and recover more efficiently following exercise.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29090398/