Whole-Body Photobiomodulation Use in Professional Soccer Players During a State Championship

NCT ID: NCT07224646

Last Updated: 2025-11-24

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

24 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-09-04

Study Completion Date

2026-12-31

Brief Summary

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This study aims to investigate the effects of whole-body photobiomodulation on professional soccer players during a state championship. The primary question is whether photobiomodulation improves recovery, reduces muscle fatigue, and enhances performance compared to standard training without photobiomodulation.

Detailed Description

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Detailed Description:

This randomized, controlled clinical trial aims to evaluate the effects of whole-body photobiomodulation (PBM) on recovery and performance in professional soccer players during a state championship.

The intervention will be performed twice weekly on non-consecutive days for 8 weeks, in combination with each athlete's standard training routine. Participants will be allocated to either an active PBM group or a sham PBM group, both following identical procedures to maintain blinding.

Throughout the study, participants will complete scheduled assessments at baseline, during, and after the 8-week period to monitor performance, muscle soreness, and hematological responses. Data will be analyzed using appropriate statistical tests, with a significance level of 5% (two-tailed).

Conditions

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Athletic Performance Muscle Fatigue Muscle Strength Sports

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Model Description:

Participants are randomly assigned to two parallel groups: an Active Photobiomodulation (PBM) group and a Sham PBM group. Both groups undergo the same training schedule and assessment timeline, but only the active group receives therapeutic light exposure. There is no crossover between groups throughout the 8-week intervention period.
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

TRIPLE

Participants Investigators Outcome Assessors
Triple-masked trial. Participants wear protective eyewear; the sham device is physically identical and runs the same schedule, fan noise, and indicator covers, but emits no therapeutic light. Operators who run sessions are distinct from outcomes assessors; participants and assessors are unaware of group assignment. Scheduling and room procedures minimize cross-talk between teams. Randomization and assignment are concealed using sealed, opaque envelopes prepared by an independent researcher.

Study Groups

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Active PBM

Whole-body PBM delivered with a Joovv Elite System (6 LED panels; 660±10 nm red and 850±10 nm near-infrared; total panel area ≈12,193 cm²). Athlete stands \~20 cm from panels, wearing eye protection. Two exposures per session: 450 s anterior + 450 s posterior (total 15 min). Measured average irradiance ≈81.62 mW/cm² and energy density per region ≈25.71 J/cm² at 20 cm. Two sessions/week on non-consecutive days for 8 weeks, after routine training.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Whole-Body Photobiomodulation (PBM) (Active PBM)

Intervention Type RADIATION

This intervention consists of whole-body photobiomodulation delivered using a full-body PBM device. Sessions are performed twice weekly on non-consecutive days for 8 weeks, coinciding with the athletes' standard training. The device emits therapeutic light at specified wavelengths and power, targeting the entire body. The protocol is standardized according to prior research, ensuring consistent exposure for all participants in the active arm. The intervention aims to improve muscle performance and recovery while reducing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).

Sham PBM

Identical setup and schedule, but with therapeutic light disabled (placebo light only). Eye protection and blinding procedures identical to active PBM.

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Sham PBM

Intervention Type RADIATION

Intervention Description (Sham PBM):

Participants receive a sham photobiomodulation intervention using the same device and schedule, but without emission of therapeutic light. The procedure mimics the active intervention to maintain blinding while allowing comparison of outcomes, including muscle performance, DOMS, and blood markers.

Interventions

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Whole-Body Photobiomodulation (PBM) (Active PBM)

This intervention consists of whole-body photobiomodulation delivered using a full-body PBM device. Sessions are performed twice weekly on non-consecutive days for 8 weeks, coinciding with the athletes' standard training. The device emits therapeutic light at specified wavelengths and power, targeting the entire body. The protocol is standardized according to prior research, ensuring consistent exposure for all participants in the active arm. The intervention aims to improve muscle performance and recovery while reducing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).

Intervention Type RADIATION

Sham PBM

Intervention Description (Sham PBM):

Participants receive a sham photobiomodulation intervention using the same device and schedule, but without emission of therapeutic light. The procedure mimics the active intervention to maintain blinding while allowing comparison of outcomes, including muscle performance, DOMS, and blood markers.

Intervention Type RADIATION

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Male professional soccer players currently competing in the championship
* Age 18-35 years
* Training frequency ≥5 times per week
* Able to attend all PBM/sham sessions and all assessments during the 8-week intervention
* Signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

* Lower-limb musculoskeletal injury in the last 6 months or currently receiving treatment
* Current use of phototherapy or any other recovery-enhancing modality
* Chronic medical conditions that may affect performance or recovery
* Known sensitivity or contraindication to light-based therapies
* Inability to comply with the intervention or training schedule
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

35 Years

Eligible Sex

MALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Italo Amaral de Oliveira

MSc

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Italo A Oliveira, MSc

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

UFSCAR

Locations

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Desportivo Brasil Training Center

Porto Feliz, São Paulo, Brazil

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Brazil

Central Contacts

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Italo A Oliveira, MSc

Role: CONTACT

+55 19 997190361

Facility Contacts

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Italo A Oliveira, MSc

Role: primary

+55 19 997190361

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Provided Documents

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Document Type: Study Protocol and Statistical Analysis Plan

View Document

Other Identifiers

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84660524.7.0000.5504

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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