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Sports PerformanceWBPMENCT05989815

Effect of Whole-body Photobiomodulation on Muscular Performance Enhancement.

A study testing Muscle damage protocol training and Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) in people with Sports Performance and Injury Prevention, run by Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos at 1 site in Brazil.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

Introduction: Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) is based on the emission of light ranging from red to near-infrared spectra by different devices based on diode lasers or light-emitting diodes. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
What is being tested?
Muscle damage protocol training and Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT)
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
30 participants
Where
1 siteBrazil
Study dates
10 Jul 2023to 20 Dec 2023
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • Men only
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Male individuals aged between 18 and 35 years, professional soccer players who engage in training at least 5 times a week, will be selected.
  • Data collection will be conducted at the Desportivo Brasil Football Club, located in Porto Feliz, São Paulo. The sample will consist of team members, with a total of 30 athletes established to compose the sample. All data collection will take place in the same location.

Who cannot join

  • Individuals with any impediment to physical activity or those presenting dysfunctions that may impair the neuromuscular system will be excluded.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Brazil1 site
  • Desportivo Brasil Football Club

    Porto Feliz, São Paulo, 18546-412

Other trials in Brazil

About this study

Introduction: Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) is based on the emission of light ranging from red to near-infrared spectra by different devices based on diode lasers or light-emitting diodes. These devices emitting different wavelengths can increase mitochondrial activity and energy synthesis (ATP - adenosine triphosphate) that in turn can help to prevent muscle damage, decrease muscle fatigue and enhance muscle performance. Thus, PBMT can be a promising therapeutic resource in the sports field. Objectives: The aim of this study is to verify the effect of PBMT on the muscle performance and prevention of muscle damage and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) in professional soccer players submitted to a muscle damage protocol. Methodology: The present study is a randomized sham-controlled clinical trial following the CONSORT guidelines.

Read the detailed description

Participants will be allocated into 3 balanced randomized groups, as follows: 1) PBMT post muscle damage protocol (PBMT-post); 2) PBMT pre (PBMT-pre) and 3) PBMT placebo (PBMT-sham). All groups will be submitted to a) anamnesis; b) measurement of blood levels of creatine phosphokinase (CK); c) delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS); d) muscle performance tests (Squat Jump test (SJ) and Counter Movement Jump (CMJ)); e) dynamometry of the knee extensor muscles. Whole body PBMT will be applied according to the groups, during 10 min (sham or effective), with an effective dose of 48.97 J/cm2 and irradiance of 81.62 mW/cm2. Muscle damage protocol will consist of 8 exercises for lower limb muscles, with 3 sets of 10 repetitions each, 1 minute of rest between sets, and 2 minutes of rest between exercises. Next, participants will be evaluated for levels of CK, DOMS and muscle performance (SJ, CMJ, dynamometry) at 24, 48 and 72 hours after muscle damage protocol. Data will be analyzed and compared between groups with a significance level of 5%.

Being tested
Muscle damage protocol training, Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT)
Keywords
phototherapy, laser therapy, muscle fatigue, muscle damage
Medical subject headings
Musculoskeletal Pain

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Muscle damage protocol trainingOther

    The adopted protocol of muscle damage will follow the recommendations from American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) in 2009 for trained individuals. It consists of 8-12 repetitions above 70% of 1 Repetition Maximum (1RM) with 1 minute of rest between sets and 2 minutes between exercises. The protocol will be composed as follows: 3 sets of 10 repetitions for each exercise, with an emphasis on producing microlesions in the muscle tissue (muscle damage protocol).

  • Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT)Device

    PBMT will be administered using a whole-body irradiation system (Joovv Elite System, Joovv Inc.), consisting of 6 panels with 76 red LEDs (660 ± 10 nm) and 74 infrared LEDs (850 ± 10 nm), totaling 900 LEDs covering an area of 12,193 cm². Athletes will stand 20 cm in front of the device, wearing only swim shorts to expose their thigh muscles and other body areas to the light. The total irradiation time will be 20 minutes, with 10 minutes (600 seconds) of irradiation for the anterior region and another 10 minutes (600 seconds) for the posterior region. The active PBMT dose applied in each region (anterior or posterior) will be 48.97 J/cm², with an irradiance of 81.62 milliwatt (mW)/cm². The PBMT Sham dose applied in each region (anterior or posterior) will be 0 J/cm², with an irradiance of 0 mW/cm².

Study groups in NCT05989815
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
PBMT post muscle damage protocol (PBMT-post)ExperimentalGroup submitted to pre-exercise Sham (placebo) photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT), and post-exercise active PBMT. PBMT will be administered using a whole-body irradiation system (Joovv Elite System, Joovv Inc.), consisting of 6 panels with 76 red LEDs (660 ± 10 nm) and 74 infrared LEDs (850 ± 10 nm), totaling 900 LEDs covering an area of 12,193 cm². Athletes will stand 20 cm in front of the device, wearing only swim shorts to expose their thigh muscles and other body areas to the light. The total irradiation time will be 20 minutes, with 10 minutes (600 seconds) of irradiation for the anterior region and another 10 minutes (600 seconds) for the posterior region. The active PBMT dose applied in each region (anterior or posterior) will be 48.97 J/cm², with an irradiance of 81.62 mW/cm².
Receives: Other: Muscle damage protocol training; Device: Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT)
PBMT pre (PBMT-pre)ExperimentalGroup submitted to pre-exercise active photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT), and post-exercise Sham (placebo) PBMT. PBMT will be administered using a whole-body irradiation system (Joovv Elite System, Joovv Inc.), consisting of 6 panels with 76 red LEDs (660 ± 10 nm) and 74 infrared LEDs (850 ± 10 nm), totaling 900 LEDs covering an area of 12,193 cm². Athletes will stand 20 cm in front of the device, wearing only swim shorts to expose their thigh muscles and other body areas to the light. The total irradiation time will be 20 minutes, with 10 minutes (600 seconds) of irradiation for the anterior region and another 10 minutes (600 seconds) for the posterior region. The active PBMT dose applied in each region (anterior or posterior) will be 48.97 J/cm², with an irradiance of 81.62 mW/cm².
Receives: Other: Muscle damage protocol training; Device: Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT)
PBMT placebo (PBMT-sham)Sham comparatorGroup submitted to pre-exercise and post-exercise photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) Sham (placebo). PBMT will be administered using a whole-body irradiation system (Joovv Elite System, Joovv Inc.), consisting of 6 panels with 76 red LEDs (660 ± 10 nm) and 74 infrared LEDs (850 ± 10 nm), totaling 900 LEDs covering an area of 12,193 cm². Athletes will stand 20 cm in front of the device, wearing only swim shorts to expose their thigh muscles and other body areas to the light. The total irradiation time will be 20 minutes, with 10 minutes (600 seconds) of irradiation for the anterior region and another 10 minutes (600 seconds) for the posterior region. The Sham PBMT dose applied in each region (anterior or posterior) will be 0 J/cm², with an irradiance of 0 mW/cm².
Receives: Other: Muscle damage protocol training; Device: Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT)

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Measurement of Blood Levels of Creatine Phosphokinase (CK)

    Mean serum creatine phosphokinase (CK) concentration (U/L), calculated as the average of four time points: Baseline, 24h, 48h, and 72h post-exercise. Higher values indicate greater muscle damage.

    Measured: Average of Baseline, 24h, 48h, and 72h

Secondary outcomes (4)
  1. Squat Jump (SJ) Height

    Vertical jump height (cm) measured by the Squat Jump (SJ) test. Mean of four time points: Baseline, 24h, 48h, and 72h after the protocol. Higher values indicate better performance.

    Measured: Average of Baseline, 24h, 48h, 72h

  2. Muscle Performance Tests - Dynamometry

    Peak isometric force (kgf) of knee extensors, measured with handheld dynamometry.

    Mean of Baseline, 24h, 48h, and 72h after exercise. Higher values indicate better performance.

    Measured: Average of Baseline, 24h, 48h, and 72h

  3. Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)

    DOMS intensity assessed using a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS; 0-10), where 0 = no soreness and 10 = worst possible soreness during knee extension. Higher scores indicate greater soreness. Mean of Baseline, 24h, 48h, and 72h post-protocol.

    Measured: Average of Baseline, 24h, 48h, and 72h

  4. Countermovement Jump (CMJ) Height

    Vertical jump height (cm) measured by the Countermovement Jump (CMJ) test. Mean of four time points: Baseline, 24h, 48h, and 72h after the protocol. Higher values indicate better performance.

    Measured: Average of Baseline, 24h, 48h, 72h

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted14 Aug 2023
  2. Study start10 Jul 2023
  3. Primary completion10 Nov 2023
  4. Study completion20 Dec 2023

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Quadruple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
30 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05989815
Sponsor's protocol ID
62842522.2.0000.5504
Acronym
WBPME
Status last verified
Sep 2026
First submitted
1 Aug 2023
Last updated
2 Oct 2026
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
Yes
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Zagatto AM, Dutra YM, Lira FS, Antunes BM, Faustini JB, Malta ES, Lopes VHF, de Poli RAB, Brisola GMP, Dos Santos GV, Rodrigues FM, Ferraresi C. Full Body Photobiomodulation Therapy to Induce Faster Muscle Recovery in Water Polo Athletes: Preliminary Results. Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg. 2020 Dec;38(12):766-772. doi: 10.1089/photob.2020.4803.

    PubMed 33332232
  • Thong ISK, Tan G, Lee TYC, Jensen MP. A Comparison of Pain Beliefs and Coping Strategies and Their Association with Chronic Pain Adjustment Between Singapore and United States. Pain Med. 2017 Sep 1;18(9):1668-1678. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnw237.

    PubMed 27694147
  • Lesnak J, Anderson D, Farmer B, Katsavelis D, Grindstaff TL. VALIDITY OF HAND-HELD DYNAMOMETRY IN MEASURING QUADRICEPS STRENGTH AND RATE OF TORQUE DEVELOPMENT. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2019 Apr;14(2):180-187.

    PubMed 30997270
  • Higashi RH, Toma RL, Tucci HT, Pedroni CR, Ferreira PD, Baldini G, Aveiro MC, Borghi-Silva A, de Oliveira AS, Renno AC. Effects of low-level laser therapy on biceps braquialis muscle fatigue in young women. Photomed Laser Surg. 2013 Dec;31(12):586-94. doi: 10.1089/pho.2012.3388.

    PubMed 24320801
  • Ferreira-Valente MA, Pais-Ribeiro JL, Jensen MP. Psychometric properties of the portuguese version of the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire. Acta Reumatol Port. 2011 Jul-Sep;36(3):260-7.

    PubMed 22113601
  • Enwemeka CS. Light is light. Photomed Laser Surg. 2005 Apr;23(2):159-60. doi: 10.1089/pho.2005.23.159. No abstract available.

    PubMed 15910178
  • Denadai AS, de Carvalho Pde T, dos Reis FA, Belchior AC, Pereira DM, Dourado DM, Silva IS, de Oliveira LV. Morphometric and histological analysis of low-power laser influence on bone morphogenetic protein in bone defects repair. Lasers Med Sci. 2009 Sep;24(5):689-95. doi: 10.1007/s10103-008-0595-6. Epub 2008 Sep 12.

    PubMed 18787760
  • Dornelles MP, Fritsch CG, Sonda FC, Johnson DS, Leal-Junior ECP, Vaz MA, Baroni BM. Photobiomodulation therapy as a tool to prevent hamstring strain injuries by reducing soccer-induced fatigue on hamstring muscles. Lasers Med Sci. 2019 Aug;34(6):1177-1184. doi: 10.1007/s10103-018-02709-w. Epub 2019 Jan 3.

    PubMed 30607719
  • Cressoni MD, Dib Giusti HH, Casarotto RA, Anaruma CA. The effects of a 785-nm AlGaInP laser on the regeneration of rat anterior tibialis muscle after surgically-induced injury. Photomed Laser Surg. 2008 Oct;26(5):461-6. doi: 10.1089/pho.2007.2150.

    PubMed 18800950
  • Azuma RHE, Merlo JK, Jacinto JL, Borim JM, da Silva RA, Pacagnelli FL, Nunes JP, Ribeiro AS, Aguiar AF. Photobiomodulation Therapy at 808 nm Does Not Improve Biceps Brachii Performance to Exhaustion and Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness in Young Adult Women: A Randomized, Controlled, Crossover Trial. Front Physiol. 2021 Jun 10;12:664582. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2021.664582. eCollection 2021.

    PubMed 34177615
  • Julio CE, Antonialli FC, Nascimento TMD, Sa KA, Barton GJ, Lucareli PRG. The Movement Deviation Profile Can Differentiate Faller and Non-Faller Older Adults. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2023 Aug 27;78(9):1651-1658. doi: 10.1093/gerona/glad141.

    PubMed 37279546
  • Anders JJ, Arany PR, Baxter GD, Lanzafame RJ. Light-Emitting Diode Therapy and Low-Level Light Therapy Are Photobiomodulation Therapy. Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg. 2019 Feb;37(2):63-65. doi: 10.1089/photob.2018.4600. Epub 2019 Jan 24. No abstract available.

    PubMed 31050924
  • Qureshi MA, Mcisaac L, Schlyer D, Hupf HB, Al-Watban FA, Lewall D. Production of 123I as iodide by distillation. Int J Nucl Med Biol. 1985;12(1):57-8. doi: 10.1016/0047-0740(85)90014-2. No abstract available.

    PubMed 4008167
  • American College of Sports Medicine. American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Progression models in resistance training for healthy adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2009 Mar;41(3):687-708. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181915670.

    PubMed 19204579

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Muscle damage protocol training and Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) in people with Sports Performance and Injury Prevention, run by Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos at 1 site in Brazil.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 2 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Brazil. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 10 Nov 2025). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Measurement of Blood Levels of Creatine Phosphokinase (CK) (time frame: Average of Baseline, 24h, 48h, and 72h). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05989815, which also lists 14 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 2 Oct 2026.

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