Whole-Body Photobiomodulation Use in Professional Soccer Players During a State Championship

NCT07224646 | Recruiting FDA Device

• 1 other identifier: 84660524.7.0000.5504
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 24
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to investigate the effects of whole-body photobiomodulation on professional soccer players during a state championship. The primary question is whether photobiomodulation improves recovery, reduces muscle fatigue, and enhances performance compared to standard training without photobiomodulation.

Conditions

Athletic Performance; Muscle Fatigue; Muscle Strength; Sports

Keywords

Phototherapy; Laser therapy; Muscle fatigue; Muscle damage; Soccer

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)

  Pain intensity measured using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS; 0-10 points; higher scores = worse pain) during a maximal voluntary knee-extension contraction in sitting. Pain location/extent captured with a standardized pain drawing (exploratory). Primary analysis uses NRS.

  Baseline (T1), weekly (T2, weeks 1-8), and end of week 8 (T3).

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Knee Extensor Strength (Hand-Held Dynamometry)

  Baseline (T1), weekly (T2, weeks 1-8), end of week 8 (T3)

• Squat Jump (SJ) Height

  Baseline (T1), weekly (T2, weeks 1-8), end of week 8 (T3) Unit: cm

• Countermovement Jump (CMJ) Height

  Baseline (T1), weekly (T2, weeks 1-8), end of week 8 (T3)

Study Arms (2)

Active PBM

EXPERIMENTAL

Whole-body PBM delivered with a Joovv Elite System (6 LED panels; 660±10 nm red and 850±10 nm near-infrared; total panel area ≈12,193 cm²). Athlete stands \~20 cm from panels, wearing eye protection. Two exposures per session: 450 s anterior + 450 s posterior (total 15 min). Measured average irradiance ≈81.62 mW/cm² and energy density per region ≈25.71 J/cm² at 20 cm. Two sessions/week on non-consecutive days for 8 weeks, after routine training.

Radiation: Whole-Body Photobiomodulation (PBM) (Active PBM)

Sham PBM

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Identical setup and schedule, but with therapeutic light disabled (placebo light only). Eye protection and blinding procedures identical to active PBM.

Radiation: Sham PBM

Interventions

Whole-Body Photobiomodulation (PBM) (Active PBM) RADIATION

This intervention consists of whole-body photobiomodulation delivered using a full-body PBM device. Sessions are performed twice weekly on non-consecutive days for 8 weeks, coinciding with the athletes' standard training. The device emits therapeutic light at specified wavelengths and power, targeting the entire body. The protocol is standardized according to prior research, ensuring consistent exposure for all participants in the active arm. The intervention aims to improve muscle performance and recovery while reducing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).

Active PBM

Sham PBM RADIATION

Intervention Description (Sham PBM): Participants receive a sham photobiomodulation intervention using the same device and schedule, but without emission of therapeutic light. The procedure mimics the active intervention to maintain blinding while allowing comparison of outcomes, including muscle performance, DOMS, and blood markers.

Sham PBM

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Male professional soccer players currently competing in the championship
• Age 18-35 years
• Training frequency ≥5 times per week
• Able to attend all PBM/sham sessions and all assessments during the 8-week intervention
• Signed informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Lower-limb musculoskeletal injury in the last 6 months or currently receiving treatment
• Current use of phototherapy or any other recovery-enhancing modality
• Chronic medical conditions that may affect performance or recovery
• Known sensitivity or contraindication to light-based therapies
• Inability to comply with the intervention or training schedule

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos: lead

Study Sites (1)

Desportivo Brasil Training Center

Porto Feliz, São Paulo, 18546412, Brazil

RECRUITING

Related Publications (27)

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MeSH Terms

Interventions

phytobacteriomycin

Study Officials

• Italo A Oliveira, MSc

  UFSCAR

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Italo A Oliveira, MSc

CONTACT

+55 19 997190361; italoao@estudante.ufscar.br

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Triple-masked trial. Participants wear protective eyewear; the sham device is physically identical and runs the same schedule, fan noise, and indicator covers, but emits no therapeutic light. Operators who run sessions are distinct from outcomes assessors; participants and assessors are unaware of group assignment. Scheduling and room procedures minimize cross-talk between teams. Randomization and assignment are concealed using sealed, opaque envelopes prepared by an independent researcher.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: MSc

Model Details: Model Description: Participants are randomly assigned to two parallel groups: an Active Photobiomodulation (PBM) group and a Sham PBM group. Both groups undergo the same training schedule and assessment timeline, but only the active group receives therapeutic light exposure. There is no crossover between groups throughout the 8-week intervention period.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 4, 2025
• First Posted: November 5, 2025
• Study Start: September 4, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Last Updated: November 24, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

BR (1)