Effects of Light Emitting Diodes (LED) Therapy in Rugby Athletes
Condition: Phototherapy
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Therapy with light emitting diodes (LED) is a good resource to accelerate the recovery of the
      athlete and reduce muscle damage caused by exercise. Objective: To evaluate the effects of
      LED therapy applied at different times on late muscle pain (DOMS), functional performance,
      inflammatory and ergogenic response of rugby athletes. Methodology: Randomized crossover
      clinical trial, composed of three groups that will receive treatment with LED at three
      different times. Sample made up of rugby athletes of both sexes, aged between 18 and 35
      years. On the first day of the study, there will be an anamnesis, where the participants will
      answer questions about personal data, history of injuries and training time, right after the
      participants receive weight, height, heart rate and measured blood pressure, in addition to
      collecting a blood sample. to standardize the individual's baseline values. After the initial
      assessment, participants will be randomized to not receive the LED (CO) or receive LED
      therapy at three different times: before (Lpré), in the interval (Lin) and after (Lpós) the
      performance tests. Then, the modified Star Trek Balance Test (SEBTm), the Single Jump Test
      (SGHT) and the Triple Jump Test (THT) will be performed. After that, the Bangsbo Sprint (BST)
      test will be performed, followed by the Yo-Yo level 1 intermittent recovery test (Yo-Yo IR1).
      At the end of this test, the subjects will remain at rest for 10 minutes and will be
      subjected to the same tests (BST and Yo-Yo IR1) again. They will be measured at the end of
      the second battery of tests, heart rate, blood pressure, subjective perception of effort,
      muscle pain threshold, blood samples collected and repeated functional tests. After 48 hours
      of the performance tests, the blood sample will be collected again, the functional tests
      carried out and they answered a Stress Recovery Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ-Sport-76).
      At 7, 14 and 21 days after the initial tests, the same test and evaluation protocol will be
      performed, but the participants will receive LED therapy before, during or after the
      performance tests, according to their randomization. LED therapy will be performed on the
      rectus femoris, vastus lateralis and vastus medialis muscles; bilateral femoral,
      semitendinosus and gastrocnemius biceps.
    

Detailed description: 
      Randomized crossover clinical trial, composed of three groups that will receive LED treatment
      at three different times. Sample made up of rugby athletes of both sexes, aged between 18 and
      35 years. On the first day of the study, there will be an anamnesis, in which the
      participants will answer questions about personal data, history of injuries and training
      time, right after receiving weight, height, heart rate and blood pressure, in addition to
      collecting a blood sample. standardize the baseline values of the individual. After the
      initial assessment, participants will be randomized to not receive the LED (CO) or receive
      LED therapy at three different times: before (Lpré), in the interval (Lin) and after (Lpós)
      of the performance tests. Then, the modified Star Trek Balance Test (SEBTm), the Single Jump
      Test (SGHT) and the Triple Jump Test (THT) will be performed. Soon after, the familiarization
      protocol with the Bangsbo Sprint test (BST) will begin, with the participants positioned
      close to the initial marker (photocell) and the signal, they must execute a maximum of 34.2
      meters, performing seven repetitions, with twenty-five seconds duration for active recovery
      between sprints. At the end of the sprints, the participant will rest for 10 minutes and then
      perform the intermittent Yo-Yo level 1 recovery test (Yo-Yo IR1). At the end of this test,
      participants remain at rest for 10 minutes and then perform the same tests (BST and Yo-Yo
      IR1) again. At the end of the second battery of tests, heart rate, blood pressure, perceived
      exertion, blood sample and functional tests will be measured again. After 48 hours of
      performance tests, blood samples will be collected and functional tests will be carried out,
      in addition to all participants answering the Stress Recovery Questionnaire for Athletes
      (RESTQ-Sport-76), to quantify the recovery and psychophysiological stress during the test and
      recovery days. At 7, 14 and 21 days after the initial tests, the same test and evaluation
      protocol will be performed, but the participants will receive LED therapy before, during or
      after the performance tests, according to their randomization. All participants will receive
      LED therapy at the three times, only the application sequence will be randomized. LED therapy
      will be performed at two points on the quadriceps, two on the hamstrings and two on the
      gastrocnemius bilaterally. At each point, irradiation will be applied for 60 seconds, with a
      wavelength of 850nm (± 20nm) and an energy density of 8 joules per square centimeter (J/cm2).
    

Intervention name(s): LED before; LED interval; LED after
Intervention type(s): Device; Device; Device
Intervention description(s): Phototherapy will be applied through LED therapy equipment, with 15 light emitting diodes that produce 8 joules (J) per diode and 120 joules in total. The muscular regions irradiated will be the quadriceps, hamstrings and triceps sural, with two points of application in each muscle group.; Phototherapy will be applied through LED therapy equipment, with 15 light emitting diodes that produce 8 joules per diode and 120 joules in total. The muscular regions irradiated will be the quadriceps, hamstrings and triceps sural, with two points of application in each muscle group.; Phototherapy will be applied through LED therapy equipment, with 15 light emitting diodes that produce 8 joules per diode and 120 joules in total. The muscular regions irradiated will be the quadriceps, hamstrings and triceps sural, with two points of application in each muscle group.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Crossover Assignment
Intervention model description: This is a randomized crossover (crossover) trial. Participants will be randomized to not receive LED (CO) or have the application of LED therapy at three different times: before (Lpré), in the interval (Lin) and after (Lpós) of the Bangsbo and YoyoIR1 performance tests. At 7, 14 and 21 days after the initial tests, the same test and evaluation protocol will be performed. In addition, 48 hours after each test protocol, functional tests, recovery questionnaire and blood collection will be applied for analysis of creatine kinase.
Masking: Double (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: Recovery; Rugby; Phototherapy