Abstract
Purpose
The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of infrared radiation in conjunction with treadmill training on bone mass and muscle performance.
Methods
Twenty postmenopausal women aged 50 to 60 years participated in this study. The investigated groups were (i) the Light Emitting Diodes (LED) group, which performed treadmill training associated with photobiomodulation therapy (n = 10) and (ii) the exercise group, which carried out treadmill training only (n = 10). Eighteen women completed the full study (9 per group). Training was performed for 12 months, twice a week for 45 min per session at 85 to 90% of maximal heart rate (HRmax); training intensity was determined by a progressive exercise testing. The irradiation parameters were infrared-LEDs (850 nm wavelength) at 100 mW power, 39 mW/cm2 power density, and 108 J/cm2 fluence for 45 min. Isokinetic dynamometry and bone densitometry were performed.
Results
The reduction in total femur bone mineral density (BMD) was significantly higher (p = 0.04) for the exercise group (∆ = − 0.024 ± 1.055 mg/cm3) compared with the LED group (∆ = − 0.011 ± 0.013 mg/cm3). The number of muscle contractions was significantly increased, while the fatigue was significantly reduced only in the LED group compared with baseline (p < 0.05). The average power was significantly higher for the LED and exercise groups compared with baseline (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference in quadriceps performance between 6 and 12 months for either group (p ≥ 0.05).
Conclusion
Infrared radiation associated with treadmill training may synergistically act to further enhance muscle performance and attenuate the reduction of femur BMD, preventing osteoporosis and its associated health consequences.
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Acknowledgments
We acknowledge the valuable technical assistance graciously provided by Juliana Cristina Milan, Ph.D.
Funding
This study was financed in part by the Foundation for the Coordination and Improvement of Higher Level or Education Personnel-Brazil (CAPES)—grant no. 88887.302709/2018-00 and the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)—grant no. 2013/14001-9 and 2013/07276-1 (CEPOF-CEPID Program).
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The current longitudinal, randomized controlled trial was approved by the National Ethics Committee of Ministry of Health in Brasilia, Brazil (approval no. 688/2009) and by the Ethics Committee of the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar) in São Carlos, Brazil (approval no. 262/2009). The study was also registered with NIH Clinical Trials (NCT01610232). All subjects signed a written informed consent before participation in the study.
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Paolillo, F.R., Borghi-Silva, A., Arena, R. et al. Effects of infrared radiation and exercise on bone mass: implications for the prevention and management of osteoporosis. Res. Biomed. Eng. 36, 49–57 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42600-019-00031-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42600-019-00031-0