Investigation of the Role of 905-nm Laser Light in the Delay of Muscle Fatigue

Rationale, Objectives and Significance A recent study has shown that low intensity Near Infrared (NIR) light at 810 nm applied before exercise results in an increase in performance and decrease in oxidative stress and muscle damage (1). Another study by the same group with 830 nm light showed a delay in exercise-induced muscle fatigue when applied before exercise (2). A number of studies have shown varying results with near infrared light for pain relief, inflammation and wound healing. The results often vary in part due to the difference in the wavelength and intensity of the light source and variation in the depth of penetration of the light. Red and NIR light is known to penetrate significantly into biological tissues. For example, a recent study presents qualitative evidence that 830 nm light penetrated significantly through cadaver soft tissue and a human hand in vivo (3). The optical properties of various human tissues have been studied at 800 to 950 nm so it is possible for the investigators to calculate the precise distribution of near infrared light in relation to the physiological effects. The investigators are well equipped to carry this out with an original, calibrated Monte Carlo program. The mechanism of action for low intensity red to NIR light has been fairly well studied and is thought to occur through absorption of the light by mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase which leads to energy production in the illuminated cells (4). The effect of illumination DURING the aerobic phase of strenuous exercise has not been studied. The investigators hypothesize that the increased energy donated to cells during the aerobic phase will significantly delay muscle fatigue.

fatigue index and lactate blood level will be used to compare the different laser treatments. Another novel aspect of this study is to include NIR light at 905 nm. A hypothesized mechanism for delay of muscle fatigue is a light-initiated release of oxygen from hemoglobin molecules by 905-nm laser light, resulting in increased oxygenation of the local tissue. The laser may heat the tissue slightly so it is not clear whether oxygen release is due to a thermal or photochemical mechanism. A recent study of low level light (660 nm, 350 mW, 15 minutes) resulted in no measurable change in local tissue oxygenation for healthy participants (5). Another recent study with a more intense light source (K-laser at 800, 907 and 970 nm, 3 W, 4 minutes) demonstrated increased blood flow in the upper arm following irradiation with the NIR laser (6). However the authors did not measure the temperature of the irradiated tissue.

In the proposed study the investigators will keep the intensity of 800 nm light constant in all of the trials. The proposed study will include collection of surface temperature during the treatment to begin to document whether tissue heating is involved in the mechanism. The adipose thickness (calculated from skin fold thickness) will be used with the Monte Carlo simulation to calculate the fraction of light that is expected to reach the muscle for each participant. This will be the first report of optical dosimetry as a function of adipose thickness and it will enable estimation of how much of the light applied to the skin surface is able to penetrate to the muscles that are thought to be affected. The results of this study will help clinicians to optimize treatment for individual patients.

1. Thiago de Marchi, Ernesto Cesar Pinto Leal Junior et al, Low level laser therapy (LLLT) in human progressive intensity running: effects on exercise performance, skeletal muscle status and oxidative stress. (2012) Lasers in Medical Science 27:231236.
2. Ernesto Cesar Pinto Leal Junior, Rodrigo Alvaro Brandao LopexMartins et al. Effect of 830nm lowlevel therapy in exercise induced skeletal muscle fatigue in humans. (2009) Lasers in Medical Science 24:425431.
3. Jared Jagdeo, Lauren Adams, et al. Transcranial red and near infrared light transmission in a cadaveric model. (2012) PLOS ONE 7:10 e47460
4. Janis Eells, Margaret WongRiley, et al. Mitochondrial signal transduction in accelerated wound and retinal healing by near infrared light therapy. (2004) Mitochondrion Sep; 4(56):55967.
5. Franziska Heu, Clemens Forster, Barbara Namer, Adrian Dragu, Werner Lang. Effect of lowlevel laser therapy on blood flow and oxygenhemoglobin saturation of the foot skin in healthy subjects: a pilot study. (2013) Laser Therapy 22(1): 2130.
6. Kelly Larkin, Jeffrey Martin, Elizabeth Zeanah, Jerry Tue, Randy Braith, Paul Borsa. Limb blood flow after class 4 laser therapy. (2012) Journal of Athletic Training. 47(2): 178183.