ReviewJournal of biophotonics2016
Photobiomodulation in human muscle tissue: an advantage in sports performance?
Review in Journal of biophotonics, 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to 4 registered trials, which are not on this map. Cited by 75 papers, 6 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Effect of Light-Emitting Diode on the Strenght and Resistence Capacities of Cycling Athletes
Effectiveness of High Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) and Stretching Exercises on Cervical Flexibility and Pain Reduction in Myofascial Trigger Points. Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT).
Effects of Photobiomodulation Conditioning of Orofacial Tissue in Surgery for Removal of Impacted Mandibular Third Molars: Randomized, Sham-controlled, Double-blind Clinical Trial
Whole-Body Photobiomodulation Use in Professional Soccer Players During a State Championship
Who cites it
75 citing papers in PubMed, 6 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Transabdominal photobiomodulation applications: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Obesity reviews : an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity · 2025Pooled it
- A systematic review and network meta-analysis on the optimal wavelength of low-level light therapy (LLLT) in treating knee osteoarthritis symptoms.Aging clinical and experimental research · 2024Pooled it
- Effects of photobiomodulation therapy on the functional performance of healthy individuals: a systematic review with meta-analysis.Lasers in medical science · 2023Pooled it
- Association of photobiomodulation therapy and therapeutic exercises in relation to pain intensity and neck disability in individuals with chronic neck pain: a systematic review of randomized trials.Lasers in medical science · 2022Pooled it
- Association of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) and exercises programs in pain and functional capacity of patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA): a systematic review of randomized trials.Lasers in medical science · 2021Pooled it
- Pooled it
- Combined effects of photobiomodulation and osteopathic manipulation on the physical performance of young adults subjected to exercise-induced muscle damage: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.Lasers in medical science · 2026Trial
- Trial
- Influence of irradiance on photobiomodulation therapy for muscle performance in healthy individuals in a strength training program for lower limbs. A double-blind randomized controlled trial.Lasers in medical science · 2025Trial
- Influence of photobiomodulation on energy contribution in normoxia and hypoxia conditions in amateur runners: a single-blinded and randomized crossover pilot study.Lasers in medical science · 2024Trial
- Acute dose-response effect of photobiomodulation therapy on 5-km running performance in trained runners: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study.Lasers in medical science · 2024Trial
- Photobiomodulation therapy (red/NIR LEDs) reduced the length of stay in intensive care unit and improved muscle function: A randomized, triple-blind, and sham-controlled trial.Journal of biophotonics · 2024Trial
- Influence of photobiomodulation therapy on the physical performance of women during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle: A double-blind Sham-controlled randomized clinical trial.Lasers in medical science · 2023Trial
- Whole-body photobiomodulation improves post-exercise recovery but does not affect performance or physiological response during maximal anaerobic cycling.Lasers in medical science · 2023Trial
- Effects of photobiomodulation and deep water running in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain: a randomized controlled trial.Lasers in medical science · 2022Trial
- Trial
- Acute application of photobiomodulation does not bring important gains for the muscular performance and functionality of diabetic individuals.Lasers in medical science · 2021Trial
- Acute effects of photobiomodulation therapy applied to respiratory muscles of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial.Lasers in medical science · 2020Trial
- Acute effect of photobiomodulation using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on baroreflex sensitivity during and after constant loading exercise in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Lasers in medical science · 2020Trial
- Effects of photobiomodulation on muscle strength in post-menopausal women submitted to a resistance training program.Lasers in medical science · 2020Trial
15 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
Abstract
Photobiomodulation (PBM) describes the use of red or near-infrared (NIR) light to stimulate, heal, and regenerate damaged tissue. Both preconditioning (light delivered to muscles before exercise) and PBM applied after exercise can increase sports performance in athletes. This review covers the effects of PBM on human muscle tissue in clinical trials in volunteers related to sports performance and in athletes. The parameters used were categorized into those with positive effects or no effects on muscle performance and recovery. Randomized controlled trials and case-control studies in both healthy trained and untrained participants, and elite athletes were retrieved from MEDLINE up to 2016. Performance metrics included fatigue, number of repetitions, torque, hypertrophy; measures of muscle damage and recovery such as creatine kinase and delayed onset muscle soreness. Searches retrieved 533 studies, of which 46 were included in the review (n = 1045 participants). Studies used single laser probes, cluster of laser diodes, LED clusters, mixed clusters (lasers and LEDs), and flexible LED arrays. Both red, NIR, and red/NIR mixtures were used. PBM can increase muscle mass gained after training, and decrease inflammation and oxidative stress in muscle biopsies. We raise the question of whether PBM should be permitted in athletic competition by international regulatory authorities.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.