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. 2019 Dec 27:11:38.
doi: 10.1186/s13102-019-0147-3. eCollection 2019.

The effect of low level laser irradiation on oxidative stress, muscle damage and function following neuromuscular electrical stimulation. A double blind, randomised, crossover trial

Ewa Jówko  1 , Maciej Płaszewski  2 , Maciej Cieśliński  2 , Tomasz Sacewicz  1 , Igor Cieśliński  2 , Marta Jarocka  2
Affiliations

The effect of low level laser irradiation on oxidative stress, muscle damage and function following neuromuscular electrical stimulation. A double blind, randomised, crossover trial

Ewa Jówko et al. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. .

Abstract

Background: Low level laser therapy (LLLT) is among novel methods for preventing and treating muscle damage and soreness induced by volitional exercise, but little is known about using LLLT before neuromuscular electrical stimulation. The aim of this first randomised, double blind, crossover trial addressing this issue was to evaluate effects of LLLT on muscle damage and oxidative stress, as well as recovery of muscle function after a single session of isometric neuromuscular electrical stimulation(NMES).

Methods: Twenty four moderately active, healthy men aged 21-22 years received 45 electrically evoked tetanic, isometric contractions of the quadriceps femoris, preceded by LLLT or sham-LLLT. Maximal isometric voluntary muscle torques, perceived soreness, and blood samples were analysed from baseline to 96 h post intervention. We measured plasma markers of muscle damage (the activity of creatine kinase), and inflammation (C-reactive protein), and evaluated redox state parameters.

Results: NMES-evoked contractions induced oxidative stress, demonstrated by an increase in lipid peroxidation and impairments in enzymatic antioxidant system. LLLT irradiations had a protective effect on NMES-induced decrease in enzymatic antioxidant defence and shortened the duration of inflammation. This effect of irradiations on redox state and inflammation did not affect lipid peroxidation, muscle damage, and muscle torque.

Conclusions: LLLT may protect from impairments in enzymatic antioxidant system and may shorten inflammation induced by a single NMES session in moderately active, healthy men. However, the effects of LLLT on redox state and inflammatory processes do not seem to affect muscle damage and recovery of muscle function after NMES.

Trial registration: The study was retrospectively registered in the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR); The trial registration number: ACTRN12619000678190; date of registration: 6 May 2019.

Keywords: Biochemistry; DOMS; Evoked contractions; Exercise-induced muscle damage; Knee extensors; Photobiomodulation.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interestsThe authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flowchart of the study. EEC – electrically evoked contractions; LLLT – low level laser irradiation; NMES – neuromuscular electrical stimulation; MVC – maximal (isometric) voluntary contraction; S1 – pain severity measurement – pressure test; S2 – pain severity measurement –squat test
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Body position and electrode placement during MVC measurements and NMES sessions
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Force tracings of electrically evoked contractions of the quadriceps muscle (from the sixth to the last contraction) (a) in the whole group in part I and part II of the study and (B) for electrical stimulation preceded by LLLT irradiations and sham-LLLT interventions. EEC – electrically evoked contractions; MVC – maximal isometric voluntary contraction; LLLT – neuromuscular electrical stimulation preceded by low level laser irradiation; sham-LLLT – neuromuscular electrical stmulation preceded by sham low level laser intervention; values are means ± SE; differences between part I and part II (a) as well as between LLLT and sham-LLLT interventions (b) were not significant (p > 0.05 for group or group and time interaction).
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Absolute (a) and relative (b, c) changes in maximal isometric voluntary contractions of the quadriceps femoris muscle following single sessions of neuromuscular electrical stimulation preceded by low-level laser irradiation or sham low-level laser intervention. b In percent changes in comparison to baseline. c In the values normalized on baseline from two interventions (LLLT and sham-LLLT) combined (Z-score). MVC – maximal isometric voluntary contraction; LLLT – neuromuscular electrical stimulation preceded by low level laser irradiation; sham-LLLT – neuromuscular electrical stmulation preceded by sham low level laser intervention; 0 h – immediately post intervention; 24, 48, 72, 96 h – subsequent hours post intervention; values are means ± SE (a and b) and means (c); a main time effect present (p < 0.0001); *difference significant (p < 0.05), as compared to baseline (within the same intervention); †difference significant (p < 0.05) for 24 h, as compared to 0 h (within LLLT intervention); ‡difference significant (p < 0.05) for 96 h, as compared to 0 h (within LLLT intervention). b and c main time effect present (p < 0.01); *difference significant (p < 0.05), as compared 0 h (within the same intervention); # difference significant (p < 0.05) for 96 h, as compared to 48 and 72 h (within sham-LLLT intervention)
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
a Plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity at baseline and following single sessions of neuromuscular electrical stimulation preceded by single low-level laser irradiation or sham low-level laser intervention. LLLT – neuromuscular electrical stmulation preceded by low level laser irradiation; sham-LLLT – neuromuscular electrical stmulation preceded by sham low level laser intervention; baseline – immediately prior to intervention; 0 h – immediately post intervention; 24, 48, 72, 96 h – subsequent hours post intervention; values are means ± SE; no main effects present (p > 0.05); b Relative changes in plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity (as compared to baseline) following single sessions of neuromuscular electrical stimulation preceded by single low-level laser irradiation or sham low-level laser intervention. LLLT – neuromuscular electrical stmulation preceded by low level laser irradiation; sham-LLLT – neuromuscular electrical stmulation preceded by sham low level laser intervention; 0 h – immediately post intervention; 24, 48, 72, 96 h – subsequent hours post intervention; values are means ± SE. main time effect present (p < 0.05); *difference significant (p < 0.05), as compared 0 and 24 h (within the same intervention).
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