Photobiomodulation (Red and Near-Infrared Light Therapy) for Mitochondrial Stimulation and Biological Recovery in Athletes: A Narrative Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/QS.2026.64.73741Keywords
photobiomodulation, low-level laser therapy, mitochondria, muscle recovery, athletic performance, oxidative stressAbstract
Background. Photobiomodulation (PBM) — the therapeutic use of red and near-infrared light — is promoted in sport as a non-pharmacological, non-thermal aid to performance and recovery, acting primarily through mitochondrial stimulation, yet its clinical value remains debated.
Aim. To synthesise, critically and comparatively, the medical evidence on the mechanisms of PBM and on its ergogenic and recovery effects in athletes, and to define the conditions under which benefit is and is not observed.
Material and methods. A narrative review of literature (2016–2026) was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Thirty-five papers were included, focusing on network meta-analyses and evidence-based medicine (EBM) clinical guidelines.
Results. Mechanistic and cellular work consistently shows that red/near-infrared light is absorbed by cytochrome c oxidase, increasing mitochondrial membrane potential, ATP and a controlled burst of reactive oxygen species, with downstream nitric-oxide, calcium and transcription-factor signalling that promotes myoblast differentiation, mitochondrial biogenesis and anti-inflammatory effects, all governed by a biphasic (Arndt-Schulz) dose response. In athletes, pre-exercise PBM has improved peak oxygen uptake, time to exhaustion and strength in several trials, and combined PBM–magnetic-field protocols enhanced recovery; yet numerous high-quality trials found no benefit, with effects strongly dependent on dose, wavelength, timing, irradiated muscle, training status and sex. Meta-analyses suggest modest reductions in delayed-onset muscle soreness and oxidative damage but inconsistent functional gains, and no superiority over established recovery methods.
Conclusions. PBM has a coherent mitochondrial mechanism and a plausible, partly demonstrated ergogenic and recovery role, but clinical efficacy is inconsistent and parameter-dependent; standardised dosimetry and rigorous trials are required.
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