Near-Infrared Light Therapy to Attenuate Strength Loss after Strenuous Resistance Exercise

Double-blind, sham controlled, crossover study to evaluate the effect of near-infrared (NIR) light on strength and recovery of healthy individuals during exercise. NIR laser (800 nm + 970 nm) was applied to the biceps brachii muscle prior to an elbow-flexion resistance-exercise protocol.  Preexercise to postexercise strength loss for the active laser treatment, although small, was less than with the sham treatment. NIR light therapy may be a beneficial, noninvasive modality for improving muscle function during rehabilitation after musculoskeletal injury.