Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of low-level laser therapy on performance, inflammatory markers, and muscle damage in young water polo athletes: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study

Lasers in Medical Science volume 31, pages 511–521 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of 5 days of 810-nm low-level laser therapy (LLLT) intervention on inflammatory and muscle damage markers and performance in young water polo players. Twenty young male water polo players participated in the study, which was designed as a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Active LLLT or an identical placebo LLLT were delivered to eight points on the adductor muscle region immediately after each training day. Performance was measured by a 200-m maximal swimming (P200) and a 30-s crossbar jump test (30CJ) which was performed every day before training, and blood samples were drawn pre and post the final LLLT intervention to measure interleukins (IL) and muscle damage markers. There was no significant change in the P200 exercise in the LLLT group compared with the placebo group but there was a moderate improvement in the 30CJ (8.7 ± 2.6 %). IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-alpha presented increased (P < 0.016) concentration within group 48 h after the last LLLT intervention compared to pre, 0, and 24 h, but did not differ between groups. IL-10 increased over time in the placebo group and reached a moderate effect compared to the LLLT group. The creatine kinase decreased significantly (P = 0.049) over the time within the LLLT treatment group, but there was no significant change in lactate dehydrogenase (P = 0.150). In conclusion, LLLT resulted in a non-significant, but small to moderate effect on inflammatory and muscle damage markers and a moderate effect on performance in water polo players. In addition, the lack of positive results could be due to the small area covered by irradiation and this should be considered in future studies.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

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

Fig 1
Fig. 2
Fig 3
Fig 4
Fig 5

References

  1. Brunelli DT, Borin JP, Rodrigues A, Bonganha V, Prestes J, Montagner PC, Cavaglieri CR (2012) Immune responses, upper respiratory illness symptoms, and load changes in young athletes during the preparatory period of the training periodization. Open Access J Sports Med 3:43–49. doi:10.2147/OAJSM.S30962

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  2. Coutts AJ, Wallace LK, Slattery KM (2007) Monitoring changes in performance, physiology, biochemistry, and psychology during overreaching and recovery in triathletes. Int J Sports Med 28(2):125–134. doi:10.1055/s-2006-924146

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Dias R, Frollini AB, Brunelli DT, Yamada AK, Leite RD, Simoes RA, Salles GS, Trevisan D, Pellegrinotti IL, de Castro CM, Alves SC, Verlengia R, Borin JP, Prestes J, Cavaglieri CR (2011) Immune parameters, symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections, and training-load indicators in volleyball athletes. Int J Gen Med 4:837–844. doi:10.2147/IJGM.S24402

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  4. Docherty D, Sporer B (2000) A proposed model for examining the interference phenomenon between concurrent aerobic and strength training. Sports Med 30(6):385–394

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Cox AJ, Pyne DB, Saunders PU, Callister R, Gleeson M (2007) Cytokine responses to treadmill running in healthy and illness-prone athletes. Med Sci Sports Exerc 39(11):1918–1926. doi:10.1249/mss.0b013e318149f2aa

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Helgerud J, Rodas G, Kemi OJ, Hoff J (2011) Strength and endurance in elite football players. Int J Sports Med 32(9):677–682. doi:10.1055/s-0031-1275742

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Fry RW, Morton AR, Keast D (1992) Acute intensive interval training and T-lymphocyte function. Med Sci Sports Exerc 24(3):339–345

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Smith LL (2000) Cytokine hypothesis of overtraining: a physiological adaptation to excessive stress? Med Sci Sports Exerc 32(2):317–331

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Andersson H, Bohn SK, Raastad T, Paulsen G, Blomhoff R, Kadi F (2010) Differences in the inflammatory plasma cytokine response following two elite female soccer games separated by a 72-h recovery. Scand J Med Sci Sports 20(5):740–747. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0838.2009.00989.x

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Concepcion-Huertas M, Chirosa LJ, De Haro T, Chirosa IJ, Romero V, Aguilar-Martinez D, Leonardo-Mendonca RC, Doerrier C, Escames G, Acuna-Castroviejo D (2013) Changes in the redox status and inflammatory response in handball players during one-year of competition and training. J Sports Sci 31(11):1197–1207. doi:10.1080/02640414.2013.773404

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Paulsen G, Crameri R, Benestad HB, Fjeld JG, Morkrid L, Hallen J, Raastad T (2010) Time course of leukocyte accumulation in human muscle after eccentric exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc 42(1):75–85. doi:10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181ac7adb

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Paulsen G, Mikkelsen UR, Raastad T, Peake JM (2012) Leucocytes, cytokines and satellite cells: what role do they play in muscle damage and regeneration following eccentric exercise? Exerc Immunol Rev 18:42–97

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Fielding RA, Manfredi TJ, Ding W, Fiatarone MA, Evans WJ, Cannon JG (1993) Acute phase response in exercise. III. Neutrophil and IL-1 beta accumulation in skeletal muscle. Am J Physiol 265(1 Pt 2):R166–172

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Ascensao A, Leite M, Rebelo AN, Magalhaes S, Magalhaes J (2011) Effects of cold water immersion on the recovery of physical performance and muscle damage following a one-off soccer match. J Sports Sci 29(3):217–225. doi:10.1080/02640414.2010.526132

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Franchini E, Yuri Takito M, Yuzo Nakamura F, Ayumi Matsushigue K, Peduti Dal’Molin Kiss MA (2003) Effects of recovery type after a judo combat on blood lactate removal and on performance in an intermittent anaerobic task. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 43(4):424–431

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Leal-Junior EC, Vanin AA, Miranda EF, de Carvalho PT, Dal Corso S, Bjordal JM (2015) 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 30(2):925–939. doi:10.1007/s10103-013-1465-4

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Fernandes KP, Alves AN, Nunes FD, Souza NH, Silva JA Jr, Bussadori SK, Ferrari RA (2013) Effect of photobiomodulation on expression of IL-1beta in skeletal muscle following acute injury. Lasers Med Sci 28(3):1043–1046. doi:10.1007/s10103-012-1233-x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Borsa PA, Larkin KA, True JM (2013) Does phototherapy enhance skeletal muscle contractile function and postexercise recovery? A systematic review. J Athl Training 48(1):57–67. doi:10.4085/1062-6050-48.1.12

    Google Scholar 

  19. Leal Junior EC, Lopes-Martins RA, Vanin AA, Baroni BM, Grosselli D, De Marchi T, Iversen VV, Bjordal JM (2009) Effect of 830 nm low-level laser therapy in exercise-induced skeletal muscle fatigue in humans. Lasers Med Sci 24(3):425–431. doi:10.1007/s10103-008-0592-9

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Leal EC, de Godoi V, Mancalossi JL, Rossi RP, De Marchi T, Parente M, Grosselli D, Generosi RA, Basso M, Frigo L, Tomazoni SS, Bjordal JM, Lopes-Martins RAB (2011) Comparison between cold water immersion therapy (CWIT) and light emitting diode therapy (LEDT) in short-term skeletal muscle recovery after high-intensity exercise in athletes-preliminary results. Lasers Med Sci 26(4):493–501. doi:10.1007/s10103-010-0866-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Antonialli FC, De Marchi T, Tomazoni SS, Vanin AA, dos Santos GV, de Paiva PR, Pinto HD, Miranda EF, de Tarso C, de Carvalho P, Leal-Junior EC (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. doi:10.1007/s10103-014-1611-7

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Leal Junior EC, Lopes-Martins RA, Frigo L, De Marchi T, Rossi RP, de Godoi V, Tomazoni SS, Silva DP, Basso M, Filho PL, de Valls CF, Iversen VV, Bjordal JM (2010) Effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in the development of exercise-induced skeletal muscle fatigue and changes in biochemical markers related to postexercise recovery. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 40(8):524–532. doi:10.2519/jospt.2010.3294

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Leal Junior EC, Lopes-Martins RA, Rossi RP, De Marchi T, Baroni BM, de Godoi V, Marcos RL, Ramos L, Bjordal JM (2009) 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(8):572–577. doi:10.1002/lsm.20810

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Miranda EF, de Oliveira LV, Antonialli FC, Vanin AA, de Carvalho PT, Leal-Junior EC (2015) Phototherapy with combination of super-pulsed laser and light-emitting diodes is beneficial in improvement of muscular performance (strength and muscular endurance), dyspnea, and fatigue sensation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Lasers Med Sci 30(1):437–443. doi:10.1007/s10103-014-1690-5

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Albuquerque-Pontes GM, Vieira Rde P, Tomazoni SS, Caires CO, Nemeth V, Vanin AA, Santos LA, Pinto HD, Marcos RL, Bjordal JM, de Carvalho PT, Leal-Junior EC (2015) Effect of pre-irradiation with different doses, wavelengths, and application intervals of low-level laser therapy on cytochrome c oxidase activity in intact skeletal muscle of rats. Lasers Med Sci 30(1):59–66. doi:10.1007/s10103-014-1616-2

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Melchiorri G, Castagna C, Sorge R, Bonifazi M (2010) Game activity and blood lactate in men’s elite water-polo players. J Strength Cond Res 24(10):2647–2651. doi:10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181e3486b

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Royal KA, Farrow D, Mujika I, Halson SL, Pyne D, Abernethy B (2006) The effects of fatigue on decision making and shooting skill performance in water polo players. J Sports Sci 24(8):807–815. doi:10.1080/02640410500188928

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Stirn I, Strmecki J, Strojnik V (2014) The examination of different tests for the evaluation of the efficiency of the eggbeater kicks. J Hum Kinet 41:215–226. doi:10.2478/hukin-2014-0049

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  29. Oliveira N, Fernandes RJ, Sarmento M, Liberal S, Figueiredo PA, Gonçalves P, Villas-Boas JP (2010) Muscle activity during the typical water polo eggbeater kick. Int J Aquat Res Ed 4:163–174

    Google Scholar 

  30. Franic M, Ivkovic A, Rudic R (2007) Injuries in water polo. Croat Med J 48(3):281–288

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  31. Bampouras TM, Marrin K (2009) Comparison of two anaerobic water polo-specific tests with the Wingate test. J Strength Cond Res 23(1):336–340. doi:10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181876ad0

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Bampouras TM, Marrin K (2010) Reliability of the 30-s crossbar jumps water polo test. Serbian Journal of Sports Sciences 4(2):69–73

    Google Scholar 

  33. Foster C, Florhaug JA, Franklin J, Gottschall L, Hrovatin LA, Parker S, Doleshal P, Dodge C (2001) A new approach to monitoring exercise training. J Strength Cond Res 15(1):109–115

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Hopkins WG (2000) Measures of reliability in sports medicine and science. Sports Med 30(1):1–15

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Sullivan GM, Feinn R (2012) Using effect size—or why the P value is not enough. J Grad Med Educ 4(3):279–282. doi:10.4300/JGME-D-12-00156.1

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  36. 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(1):231–236. doi:10.1007/s10103-011-0955-5

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Felismino AS, Costa EC, Aoki MS, Ferraresi C, de Araujo Moura Lemos TM, de Brito Vieira WH (2014) Effect of low-level laser therapy (808 nm) on markers of muscle damage: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Lasers Med Sci 29(3):933–938. doi:10.1007/s10103-013-1430-2

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Baroni BM, Leal ECP, De Marchi T, Lopes AL, Salvador M, Vaz MA (2010) Low level laser therapy before eccentric exercise reduces muscle damage markers in humans. Eur J Appl Physiol 110(4):789–796. doi:10.1007/s00421-010-1562-z

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Marin DP, Bolin AP, Campoio TR, Guerra BA, Otton R (2013) Oxidative stress and antioxidant status response of handball athletes: implications for sport training monitoring. Int Immunopharmacol 17(2):462–470. doi:10.1016/j.intimp.2013.07.009

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Zembron-Lacny A, Slowinska-Lisowska M, Ziemba A (2010) Integration of the thiol redox status with cytokine response to physical training in professional basketball players. Physiol Res 59(2):239–245

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Borghi SM, Zarpelon AC, Pinho-Ribeiro FA, Cardoso RD, Martins-Pinge MC, Tatakihara RI, Cunha TM, Ferreira SH, Cunha FQ, Casagrande R, Verri WA Jr (2014) Role of TNF-alpha/TNFR1 in intense acute swimming-induced delayed onset muscle soreness in mice. Physiol Behav 128:277–287. doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2014.01.023

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Marklund P, Mattsson CM, Wahlin-Larsson B, Ponsot E, Lindvall B, Lindvall L, Ekblom B, Kadi F (2013) Extensive inflammatory cell infiltration in human skeletal muscle in response to an ultraendurance exercise bout in experienced athletes. J Appl Physiol (1985) 114(1):66–72. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.01538.2011

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Cyktor JC, Turner J (2011) Interleukin-10 and immunity against prokaryotic and eukaryotic intracellular pathogens. Infect Immun 79(8):2964–2973. doi:10.1128/IAI.00047-11

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  44. Camargo MZ, Siqueira CP, Preti MC, Nakamura FY, de Lima FM, Dias IF, Toginho Filho Dde O, Ramos Sde P (2012) Effects of light emitting diode (LED) therapy and cold water immersion therapy on exercise-induced muscle damage in rats. Lasers Med Sci 27(5):1051–1058. doi:10.1007/s10103-011-1039-2

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Hayworth CR, Rojas JC, Padilla E, Holmes GM, Sheridan EC, Gonzalez-Lima F (2010) In vivo low-level light therapy increases cytochrome oxidase in skeletal muscle. Photochem Photobiol 86(3):673–680. doi:10.1111/j.1751-1097.2010.00732.x

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Leal ECP, Lopes-Martins RAB, Baroni BM, De Marchi T, Rossi RP, Grosselli D, Generosi RA, de Godoi V, Basso M, Mancalossi JL, Bjordal JM (2009) Comparison between single-diode low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and LED multi-diode (Cluster) therapy (LEDT) applications before high-intensity exercise. Photomed Laser Surg 27(4):617–623. doi:10.1089/pho.2008.2350

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Sciences, Department of Physical Education, UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista, Av. Eng. Luiz Edmundo Carrijo Coube, 14-01, Vargem Limpa, CEP 17033-360, Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil

    Alessandro Moura Zagatto

  2. State University of Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil

    Solange de Paula Ramos & Fábio Yuzo Nakamura

  3. Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Science and Technology, UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista, Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brazil

    Fábio Santos de Lira

  4. Laboratory of Photobiomodulation and Modeling of Biological Phenomena, Universidade de Mogi das Cruzes (UMC), Mogi das Cruzes, São Paulo, Brazil

    Rodrigo Álvaro Brandão Lopes-Martins

  5. Research Laboratory in Physiotherapy, Sacred Heart University, Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil

    Rodrigo Leal de Paiva Carvalho

Authors
  1. Alessandro Moura Zagatto
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Solange de Paula Ramos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Fábio Yuzo Nakamura
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Fábio Santos de Lira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Rodrigo Álvaro Brandão Lopes-Martins
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Rodrigo Leal de Paiva Carvalho
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alessandro Moura Zagatto.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zagatto, A.M., de Paula Ramos, S., Nakamura, F.Y. et al. Effects of low-level laser therapy on performance, inflammatory markers, and muscle damage in young water polo athletes: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Lasers Med Sci 31, 511–521 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-016-1875-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-016-1875-1

Keywords

search

Navigation