Red and Infrared Low-Level Laser Therapy Prior to Injury with or without Administration after Injury Modulate Oxidative Stress during the Muscle Repair Process.

Introduction: Muscle injury is common among athletes and amateur practitioners of sports. Following an injury, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) occurs, which can harm healthy muscle fibers (secondary damage) and delay the repair process. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) administered prior to or following an injury has demonstrated positive and protective effects on muscle repair, but the combination of both administration times together has not been clarified.

The effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) applied prior to muscle injury.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of LLLT (780 nm; 10 J/cm , 40 mW, 3.2 J) prior to injury on the morphological analysis, collagen deposition, and activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2).

Methods: Wistar rats were divided into groups: control; sham; only LLLT; only muscle injury and LLLT + injury.