Identifying dosage effect of light-emitting diode therapy on muscular fatigue in quadriceps

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of various dosages of light-emitting diode therapy (LEDT) on muscle fatigue while performing a single-leg extension to exhaustion. A total of 34 recreationally resistance-trained athletes between the ages of 18 and 26 participated in 4 trials. Each trial included pre-exercise/postexercise blood lactate measurements and 2 sets of 3 maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs), followed by LEDT on 6 points across the superficial quadriceps. Each randomized trial consisted of a placebo, 30, 60, or 120 seconds on each point on the quadriceps. Three minutes after LEDT, the participants performed an eccentric leg extension with 120% of MVIC until fatigue. There was significant increase in the number of repetitions performed between the placebo treatment and 60 seconds (p = 0.023), as well as placebo and 120 seconds (p = 0.004) of irradiation on each point. There were no significant differences in blood lactate levels between any of the 4 trials. In conclusion, LEDT had a positive effect on performance when irradiating 6 points on the superficial quadriceps for 60 and 120 seconds before an eccentric leg extension.