Fototerapia com a combinação de laser super-pulsado e leds em teste de campo com atletas de rugby de alto rendimento

Abstract

It has been a growth of rugby practice in country (Brazil) since its’ entrance in the Olympic Games of 2016. Consequently, it indispensable that more studies regarding training be developed in order to contribute to the improvement of that sport. Being a sport modality with intense physical contact, which the athlete must maintain high speed, strength and power throughout the game, and within several matches during the same day, muscle recovery is a crucial point to be developed for its’ athletes. Several researches have shown that the use of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or light emitting diode therapy (LEDT) were effective in preventing muscle fatigue, delaying the effects of fatigue, aiding recovery of muscles, reducing the risk of injury, and therefore, improving the athletic performance. However, those studies have been developed in controlled environment (laboratory). Thus, the present research project aims to study the physiological response of rugby players to pre-exercise phototherapy treatment (with combination of LLLT and LEDT). A randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover, double-blind study was conducted. Therefore, this study included a field test for anaerobic capacity, a questionnaire fatigue and lactate analysis. The results showed that phototherapy previously applied to physical activity increases anaerobic endurance, delays fatigue and significantly reduces lactic acid levels in the bloodstream. Thus, the combination of LED and LLLT was efficient in improving the performance of high performance rugby players.