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.

The aim of this study was to investigate the combined effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) and osteopathic manipulation (OM) on the physical performance of young adults subjected to exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). The study is a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Forty-five physically active male individuals were included and randomized into four groups: placebo (PL), PBM, OM, and PBM + OM. A red-light emitting diode (LED) (λ = 650 nm) was used. Participants in the PBM and PBM + OM groups received 144 J of energy in the right lower limb and/or underwent bilateral lumbar and pelvic manipulation (OM and PBM + OM) before the EIMD protocol. The following variables were analyzed before, immediately after, and 24, 48, and 72 h post-intervention: creatine kinase (CK), muscle strength, flexibility, and horizontal jump performance. Data normality was assessed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. CK levels were evaluated using the Friedman test, and repeated measures ANOVA was used for the other variables, p < 0.05. A distinct recovery pattern was observed in the combined PBM + OM group, with increased CK levels only at 24 h, followed by a pronounced reduction at 72 h (p = 0.001). Only the PBM + OM group presented percentage values near to baseline within 48 h (-1.4%), in addition to a trend toward early improvement in the horizontal jump within 24 h. In conclusion, PBM + OM may have contributed to improved CK kinetics and selected functional outcomes; however, strength recovery should be interpreted strictly as a non-significant and exploratory trend.