Photobiomodulation Therapy on Performance in Successive Cycling Tests

NCT06252467 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 708.362
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 16
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) on performance, oxygen uptake (VO2 kinetics), and lower limb muscle oxygenation during three successive time-to-exhaustion tests (TTEs) in cyclists. This was a double blind, randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled trial study. Sixteen cyclists (\~23 years old), with a cycling training volume of \~460 km/week, volunteered for this study. In the first session, cyclists performed a maximal incremental test to determine maximal oxygen uptake and maximal power output (POMAX). In the following sessions, cyclists performed three consecutive TTEs at POMAX. Before each test, PBMT (135 J/thigh) or a placebo (PLA) PBMT was applied to both thighs. VO2 amplitude, O2 deficit, time delay, oxyhemoglobin (O2Hb), deoxyhemoglobin (HHb), and total hemoglobin (tHb) were measured during tests on the right vastus lateralis. The PBMT, applied before three successive TTE, increased performance of the first and second TTE (\~10-12%) tests, speed of VO2 and HHb kinetics during the first test, and increased peripheral muscle oxygenation (increase in HHb and tHb) in the first and second exhaustion tests. However, the PBMT effects were attenuated in the third TTE, as performance and all the other outcomes were similar to the ones from the PLA intervention. In summary, PBMT application increased the first and second successive TTEs, speed of VO2, and muscle oxygenation.

Conditions

Photobiomodulation Therapy; Cyclists; Performance

Keywords

Phototherapy; VO2 response; muscle oxygenation; cyclists; performance

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Cycling performance

  Cyclists performed the three successive time-to-exhaustion at maximal power output at their preferred cadence. Exhaustion was defined as the time when the cyclist was unable to maintain a cadence above 70 rotations per minute. During the successive time-to-exhaustion, cadence and power output were measured using the cycle ergometer software (Excalibur Sport, Lode Medical Technology, Groningen, Groninga, The Netherlands). The cyclists' evaluation was conducted utilizing a cycle ergometer (Excalibur Sport, Lode Medical Technology, Groningen, Groninga, The Netherlands) configured to match their bike's handlebar and seat settings.

  Cyclits performed a standard protocol of three successive tests to exhaustion at maximal power output with preferred cadence, and photobiomodulation therapy or placebo treatments were applied before each trial. The three testing days were performed

• Oxygen uptake

  Oxygen uptake was measured breath-by-breath using an open-circuit gas analyzer (Quark CPET, Cosmed, Rome, Lazio, Italy). Oxygen uptake measurements were plotted to facilitate the exclusion of values lying beyond four standard deviations above or below the average of the dynamic window (three breaths), taken as the reference for the overall curve average. Analysis of oxygen uptake kinetics during successive time-to-exhaustion was converted into 5 seconds windows, and mean values were calculated. The analysis of oxygen uptake kinetics was dependent on the duration of the three time-to-exhaustion for each athlete in each condition (Photobiomodulation therapy or placebo). Oxygen uptake kinetics were calculated with the nonlinear least-squares method implemented in MATLAB (Mathworks, Natick, MA, USA) to adjust the oxygen uptake data.

  Oxygen uptake response was measured during the three sucessive time-to-exhaustion in two days (Photobiomodulation Therapy or Placebo) with a 72 hours interval apart.

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Periphery muscle oxygenation

  Periphery muscle oxygenation response was measured during the three sucessive time-to-exhaustion in two days (Photobiomodulation Therapy or Placebo) with a 72 hours interval apart.

Study Arms (2)

Active Comparator

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Device: Active Photobiomodulation Therapy Phototherapy treatment (Photobiomodulation therapy or placebo) was performed using a Photobiomodulation therapy device (Vectra Genisys Systems, Chattanooga Group, Dallas, TX, USA). The cluster probe consisted of five low-level laser therapy diodes (850 nm) and 28 light emitting diodes therapy (670 nm, 880 nm, and 950 nm). Photobiomodulation therapy was applied in nine sites of each quadriceps femoris muscle . A dosage of 15 J per site led to a total energy of 135 J per thigh, effectively increasing cycling performance in a previous study. We chose to apply Photobiomodulation therapy specifically to the quadriceps femoris because this muscle group is of utmost significance in generating torque and propelling the pedaling cycle. Its pivotal role in cycling performance made this muscle a prime target for the Photobiomodulation therapy intervention in our study.

Device: Photobiomodulation Therapy

Placebo Comparator

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Device: Placebo Photobiomodulation The placebo treatment was performed in exactly the same manner as the Photobiomodulation therapy treatment, but with the device switched off, and the cluster was held stationary in contact with the skin at a 90° angle, with light pressure on the skin. The total application time of Photobiomodulation therapy or placebo was \~5 min for both limbs (9 points per thigh = 18 points × 16 s per point) before each time-to-exhaustion test.

Device: Placebo Photobiomodulation

Interventions

Photobiomodulation Therapy DEVICE

Phototherapy treatment (Photobiomodulation therapy or placebo) was performed using a Photobiomodulation therapy device (Vectra Genisys Systems, Chattanooga Group, Dallas, TX, USA). The cluster probe consisted of five low-level laser therapy diodes (850 nm) and 28 light emitting diodes therapy (670 nm, 880 nm, and 950 nm). Photobiomodulation therapy was applied in nine sites of each quadriceps femoris muscle . A dosage of 15 J per site led to a total energy of 135 J per thigh, effectively increasing cycling performance in a previous study. We chose to apply Photobiomodulation therapy specifically to the quadriceps femoris because this muscle group is of utmost significance in generating torque and propelling the pedaling cycle. Its pivotal role in cycling performance made this muscle a prime target for the Photobiomodulation therapy intervention in our study.

Active Comparator

Placebo Photobiomodulation DEVICE

The placebo treatment was performed in exactly the same manner as the Photobiomodulation therapy treatment, but with the device switched off, and the cluster was held stationary in contact with the skin at a 90° angle, with light pressure on the skin. The total application time of Photobiomodulation therapy or placebo was \~5 min for both limbs (9 points per thigh = 18 points × 16 s per point) before each time-to-exhaustion test.

Placebo Comparator

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Cyclists aged 18-30 years;
• Competitive history;
• No history of musculoskeletal injuries in the lower limbs in the last two years.

You may not qualify if:

• Chronic disease;
• Smoking;
• Metabolic disorders;
• Use of steroids in the last six months;
• Physical disabilities;
• Use of antibiotic drugs in the previous week.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Marco Aurélio Vaz, PhD: lead

Study Sites (1)

Marco Aurélio Vaz

Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, 90690200, Brazil

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Low-Level Light Therapy

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Laser Therapy; Therapeutics; Phototherapy

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: QUADRUPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Head of Neuromuscular Plasticity Laboratory and Principal Investigator

Model Details: Crossover Assignment Crossover, randomized, double-blind trial (blinding of the cyclists and the researcher responsible for evaluations)

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 14, 2023
• First Posted: February 9, 2024
• Study Start: July 14, 2014
• Primary Completion: May 23, 2023
• Study Completion: October 11, 2023
• Last Updated: February 9, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

BR (1)