Skip to main content
Log in

Effect of low-level laser therapy on muscle adaptation to knee extensor eccentric training

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Eccentric training has been popularized for physical conditioning and prevention/rehabilitation of musculoskeletal disorders, especially due to the expressive responses in terms of muscular strength gain. In view of evidence that low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is able to increase exercise performance and accelerate post-exercise recovery, the aim of this study was to verify the effect of LLLT on hypertrophy and strengthening of knee extensor muscles submitted to eccentric training.

Method

Thirty healthy male subjects were randomized into three groups: Control Group (CG), Training Group (TG) and Training + LLLT Group (TLG). CG received no intervention, while TG and TLG were engaged on an 8-week knee extensor isokinetic eccentric training program. Only subjects from TLG were treated with LLLT (wavelength = 810 nm; power output = 200 mW; total dosage = 240 J) before each training session. Knee extensor muscle thickness and peak torque were assessed through ultrasonography and isokinetic dynamometry, respectively.

Results

CG presented no changes in any variable throughout the study, while eccentric training led to significant increases in muscle thickness and peak torque in TG and TLG. Subjects from TLG reached significantly higher percent changes compared to subjects from TG for sum of muscles’ thicknesses (15.4 vs. 9.4 %), isometric peak torque (20.5 vs. 13.7 %), and eccentric peak torque (32.2 vs. 20.0 %).

Conclusion

LLLT applied before eccentric training sessions seems to improve the hypertrophic response and muscular strength gain in healthy subjects.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

ANOVA:

Analysis of variance

CG:

Control group

LEDT:

Light-emitting diode therapy

LLLT:

Low-level laser therapy

MTRF :

Rectus femoris muscle thickness

MTVL :

Vastus lateralis muscle thickness

MTVM :

Vastus medialis muscle thickness

PTCON :

Concentric peak torque

PTECC :

Eccentric peak torque

PTISO :

Isometric peak torque

RF:

Rectus femoris

TG:

Training group

TLG:

Training + LLLT group

VI:

Vastus intermedius

VL:

Vastus lateralis

VM:

Vastus medialis

ΣMT:

Sum of muscles’ thicknesses

References

  • ACSM (2009) American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Progression models in resistance training for healthy adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc 41:687–708

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Antonialli FC et al (2014) Phototherapy in skeletal muscle performance and recovery after exercise: effect of combination of super-pulsed laser and light-emitting diodes. Lasers Med Sci 29(6):1967–1976

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baroni BM, Leal Junior EC, De Marchi T, Lopes AL, Salvador M, Vaz MA (2010a) Low level laser therapy before eccentric exercise reduces muscle damage markers in humans. Eur J Appl Physiol 110:789–796

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baroni BM, Leal Junior EC, Geremia JM, Diefenthaeler F, Vaz MA (2010b) Effect of light-emitting diodes therapy (LEDT) on knee extensor muscle fatigue. Photomed Laser Surg 28:653–658

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baroni BM, Geremia JM, Rodrigues R, De Azevedo Franke R, Karamanidis K, Vaz MA (2013a) Muscle architecture adaptations to knee extensor eccentric training: rectus femoris vs. vastus lateralis. Muscle Nerve 48:498–506

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baroni BM, Rodrigues R, Franke RA, Geremia JM, Rassier DE, Vaz MA (2013b) Time course of neuromuscular adaptations to knee extensor eccentric training. Int J Sports Med 34:904–911

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bjordal JM, Lopes-Martins RA, Joensen J, Iversen VV (2010) The anti-inflammatory mechanism of low level laser therapy and its relevance for clinical use in physiotherapy. Phys Ther Rev 15:286–293

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blazevich AJ, Cannavan D, Coleman DR, Horne S (2007) Influence of concentric and eccentric resistance training on architectural adaptation in human quadriceps muscles. J Appl Physiol 103:1565–1575

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Borsa PA, Larkin KA, True JM (2013) Does phototherapy enhance skeletal muscle contractile function and postexercise recovery? A systematic review. J Athl Train 48:57–67

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Byrne C, Twist C, Eston R (2004) Neuromuscular function after exercise-induced muscle damage: theoretical and applied implications. Sports Med 34:49–69

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Camargo MZ et al (2012) Effects of light emitting diode (LED) therapy and cold water immersion therapy on exercise-induced muscle damage in rats. Lasers Med Sci 27:1051–1058

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • de Almeida P, Lopes-Martins RA, Tomazoni SS, Silva JA Jr, de Carvalho Pde T, Bjordal JM, Leal Junior EC (2011) Low-level laser therapy improves skeletal muscle performance, decreases skeletal muscle damage and modulates mRNA expression of COX-1 and COX-2 in a dose-dependent manner. Photochem Photobiol 87:1159–1163

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • De Marchi T, Leal Junior EC, Bortoli C, Tomazoni SS, Lopes-Martins RA, Salvador M (2012) Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in human progressive-intensity running: effects on exercise performance, skeletal muscle status, and oxidative stress. Lasers Med Sci 27:231–236

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eapen C, Nayak CD, Pazhyaottyil Zulfeequer C (2011) Effect of eccentric isotonic quadriceps muscle exercises on patellofemoral pain syndrome: an exploratory pilot study. Asian J Sports Med 2:227–234

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Enoka RM, Duchateau J (2008) Muscle fatigue: what, why and how it influences muscle function. J Physiol 586:11–23

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ferraresi C et al (2011) Effects of low level laser therapy (808 nm) on physical strength training in humans. Lasers Med Sci 26:349–358

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ferraresi C, Panepucci R, Reiff R, Júnior E, Bagnato V, Parizotto N (2012) Molecular effects of low-level laser therapy (808 NM) on human muscle performance. Phys Ther Sport 13:e5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Friedmann-Bette B et al (2010) Effects of strength training with eccentric overload on muscle adaptation in male athletes. Eur J Appl Physiol 108:821–836

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fulop AM et al (2009) A meta-analysis of the efficacy of phototherapy in tissue repair. Photomed Laser Surg 27:695–702

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fulop AM et al (2010) A meta-analysis of the efficacy of laser phototherapy on pain relief. Clin J Pain 26:729–736

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gerber JP, Marcus RL, Dibble LE, Greis PE, Burks RT, LaStayo PC (2009) Effects of early progressive eccentric exercise on muscle size and function after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a 1-year follow-up study of a randomized clinical trial. Phys Ther 89(1):51–59. doi:10.2522/ptj.20070189

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Guilhem G, Cornu C, Maffiuletti NA, Guevel A (2013) Neuromuscular adaptations to isoload versus isokinetic eccentric resistance training. Med Sci Sports Exerc 45:326–335

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Huang YY, Chen ACH, Carroll JD, Hamblin MR (2009) Biphasic dose response in low level light therapy. Dose Response 7:358–383

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ihsan FR (2005) Low-level laser therapy accelerates collateral circulation and enhances microcirculation. Photomed Laser Surg 23:289–294

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jonsson P, Alfredson H (2005) Superior results with eccentric compared to concentric quadriceps training in patients with jumper’s knee: a prospective randomised study. Br J Sports Med 39:847–850

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Karalaki M, Fili S, Philippou A, Koutsilieris M (2009) Muscle regeneration: cellular and molecular events. In Vivo 23:779–796

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Karu T, Pyatibrat L, Kalendo G (1995) Irradiation with He-Ne laser increases ATP level in cells cultivated in vitro. J Photochem Photobiol B 27:219–223

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Leal Junior EC et al (2008) Effect of 655-nm low-level laser therapy on exercise-induced skeletal muscle fatigue in humans. Photomed Laser Surg 26:419–424

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Leal Junior EC et al (2009a) Effect of cluster multi-diode light emitting diode therapy (LEDT) on exercise-induced skeletal muscle fatigue and skeletal muscle recovery in humans. Lasers Surg Med 41:572–577

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Leal Junior EC et al (2009b) Effect of 830 nm low-level laser therapy in exercise-induced skeletal muscle fatigue in humans. Lasers Med Sci 24:425–431

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Leal Junior EC, Lopes-Martins RA, de Almeida P, Ramos L, Iversen VV, Bjordal JM (2010) Effect of low-level laser therapy (GaAs 904 nm) in skeletal muscle fatigue and biochemical markers of muscle damage in rats. Eur J Appl Physiol 108:1083–1088

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Leal-Junior EC, Vanin AA, Miranda EF, de Carvalho PD, Dal Corso S, Bjordal JM (2013) Effect of phototherapy (low-level laser therapy and light-emitting diode therapy) on exercise performance and markers of exercise recovery: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Lasers Med Sci [Epub ahead of print]

  • Liu XG, Zhou YJ, Liu TC, Yuan JQ (2009) Effects of low-level laser irradiation on rat skeletal muscle injury after eccentric exercise. Photomed Laser Surg 27:863–869

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lopes-Martins RA et al (2006) Effect of low-level laser (Ga-Al-As 655 nm) on skeletal muscle fatigue induced by electrical stimulation in rats. J Appl Physiol 101:283–288

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Paolillo FR et al (2011) Effects of infrared-LED illumination applied during high-intensity treadmill training in postmenopausal women. Photomed Laser Surg 29:639–645

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Paolillo FR, Corazza AV, Borghi-Silva A, Parizotto NA, Kurachi C, Bagnato VS (2013) Infrared LED irradiation applied during high-intensity treadmill training improves maximal exercise tolerance in postmenopausal women: a 6-month longitudinal study. Lasers Med Sci 28:415–422

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Patrocinio T, Sardim AC, Assis L, Fernandes KR, Rodrigues N, Renno AC (2013) Effect of low-level laser therapy (808 nm) in skeletal muscle after resistance exercise training in rats. Photomed Laser Surg 31:492–498

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Petersen J, Thorborg K, Nielsen MB, Budtz-Jorgensen E, Holmich P (2011) Preventive effect of eccentric training on acute hamstring injuries in men’s soccer: a cluster-randomized controlled trial. Am J Sports Med 39:2296–2303

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reeves ND, Maganaris CN, Longo S, Narici MV (2009) Differential adaptations to eccentric versus conventional resistance training in older humans. Exp Physiol 94:825–833

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Roig M, O’Brien K, Kirk G, Murray R, McKinnon P, Shadgan B, Reid WD (2009) The effects of eccentric versus concentric resistance training on muscle strength and mass in healthy adults: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med 43:556–568

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Roos EM, Engstrom M, Lagerquist A, Soderberg B (2004) Clinical improvement after 6 weeks of eccentric exercise in patients with mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy—a randomized trial with 1-year follow-up. Scand J Med Sci Sports 14:286–295

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schoenfeld BJ (2010) The mechanisms of muscle hypertrophy and their application to resistance training. J Strength Cond Res 24:2857–2872

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sussai DA, Carvalho Pde T, Dourado DM, Belchior AC, dos Reis FA, Pereira DM (2010) Low-level laser therapy attenuates creatine kinase levels and apoptosis during forced swimming in rats. Lasers Med Sci 25:115–120

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Toma RL et al (2013) Effect of 808 nm low-level laser therapy in exercise-induced skeletal muscle fatigue in elderly women. Lasers Med Sci 28:1375–1382

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vieira WH, Ferraresi C, Perez SE, Baldissera V, Parizotto NA (2012) Effects of low-level laser therapy (808 nm) on isokinetic muscle performance of young women submitted to endurance training: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Lasers Med Sci 27:497–504

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq, Brazil) and Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (FAPERGS, Brazil) for financial support.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bruno Manfredini Baroni.

Additional information

Communicated by Martin Flueck.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Baroni, B.M., Rodrigues, R., Freire, B.B. et al. Effect of low-level laser therapy on muscle adaptation to knee extensor eccentric training. Eur J Appl Physiol 115, 639–647 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-3055-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-3055-y

Keywords

Navigation