Red Light Therapy: a Potential Strategy to Reduce Sports Injury Risk?

ConditionAnkle Dorsiflexion

Trial statusNot yet recruiting

Trial phaseNot applicable

Trial typeInterventional

Biological sexAll

AgeNot listed

SponsorCláudio da Silva Ferreira

About this trial

This study investigates whether near-infrared light therapy can acutely improve ankle dorsiflexion mobility and hamstring flexibility, two factors associated with sports injury risk. Healthy adult students will complete three randomized conditions: a control session, a 10-minute cycling warm-up, and a 10-minute exposure to a red and near-infrared LED panel (MITO LIGHT®). Mobility and flexibility will be assessed before and after each condition using the Knee-to-Wall Test (KWT) and the Active Knee Extension Test (AKET). The study aims to determine whether photobiomodulation may serve as a potential strategy to reduce musculoskeletal injury risk.

Eligibility criteria

This trial accepts healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Active and healthy university students

No current pain or injury in the lower limbs

Ability to perform the Knee-to-Wall Test (KWT) and Active Knee Extension Test (AKET)

Availability to attend all three sessions with at least 72 hours between assessments

Disqualifiers

Use of photosensitizing medication currently or within the past 3 weeks (as collected in the medical questionnaire)

Recent musculoskeletal injury of the lower limbs or any sports-related injury with relevant downtime

Presence of pain, joint limitation, or any medical condition preventing safe performance of KWT or AKET

Trial design

Design model

Crossover

Treatments tested in this trial

Near-infrared photobiomodulation
Device
Exposure to a near-infrared LED panel emitting wavelengths range of 800-860 nm for 10 minutes at a distance of 15 cm and 100% intensity. Mobility and flexibility tests (KWT and AKET) are performed immediately before and after the exposure.
Cycling Warm-up
Other intervention
10 minutes cycling warm-up on a stationary cycle ergometer at 55-75% of maximum heart rate, followed by mobility and flexibility assessments.

Treatment groups

40 Participants

are divided into 3 treatment groups

Group A: ControlNo intervention 0 interventions

Group B: Cycling Warm-upActive comparator 1 intervention

Group C: Near-Infrared PhotobiomodulationExperimental treatment 1 intervention

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion

Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion will be assessed using the weight-bearing lunge test (knee-to-wall test). The distance from the hallux to the wall (cm) will be measured with the knee touching the wall and the heel on the floor. Higher values indicate greater dorsiflexion mobility

Time frame

Immediately before and immediately after each condition (control, cycling warm-up, and near-infrared photobiomodulation)

Secondary outcomes

Hamstring flexibility

Hamstring flexibility will be assessed using the active knee extension test (AKET). With the hip flexed to 90° in supine position, the participant will actively extend the knee, and the knee flexion angle (degrees) will be measured with a goniometer. Lower angles indicate greater hamstring flexibility.

Time frame

Immediately before and immediately after each condition (control, cycling warm-up, and near-infrared photobiomodulation)

Sponsors and contacts

Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.

Cláudio da Silva Ferreira

Lead sponsor

Aveiro University

Sponsor institution

Source ClinicalTrials.gov

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