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Infrared-LED During Physical Training for Rehabilitation, Physical Performance and Body Aesthetics

Phase 1
Completed
Conditions
Healthy
Interventions
Device: Photon stimulation by light-emitting diodes (LEDs)
Other: Treadmill training
Registration Number
NCT01610232
Lead Sponsor
University of Sao Paulo
Brief Summary

The investigators hypothesis is that the infrared-LED illumination during treadmill training can enhance physical performance in postmenopausal women. The basis for such a hypothesis is based on the fact that the light therapy during the intense metabolic stage caused by exercise may be more efficient.

Detailed Description

Phototherapy improves cellular activation via absorption of photons by chromophores present in the protein components of the mitochondrial respiratory chain - mainly NADH dehydrogenases and cytochrome C oxidase, which leads to increased electron transport, production of ATP, and tissue regeneration (skin, muscle, bone, and nerves). Moreover, phototherapy stimulates the anti-inflammatory effect with analgesia and vasodilatation. Regarding body aesthetics, phototherapy increases microcirculation, lymphatic drainage, as well as collagen synthesis for the treatment of cellulite. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate the effects of a new clinical procedure: infrared radiation originated from LEDs associated with treadmill training in postmenopausal women. LED arrays were developed for an irradiation of a large area, such as hip and quadriceps muscles, main actuators during stance and swing phases. These body parts are furthermore areas where there is incidence of osteoporosis, mainly at the femur, localized fat deposits, and cellulite. Infrared radiation (850 nm) was selected because this spectral range shows better skin penetration compared to red interval.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
45
Inclusion Criteria
  • Postmenopausal women
  • Caucasian
  • 50 and 60 years of age
  • Healthy
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Exclusion Criteria
  • Neurological disease
  • Inflammatory disease
  • Pulmonary disease
  • Oncological disease
  • Cardiac disease
  • Endocrinopathy
  • Musculotendinous or articular injuries
  • Hormone replacement therapy or osteoporosis drugs
  • Cigarette smoking
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Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
FACTORIAL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
LED GroupPhoton stimulation by light-emitting diodes (LEDs)Phototherapy associated with treadmill training
Exercise GroupTreadmill trainingTreadmill training
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Effects of Infrared-LED Illumination Associated with Treadmill Training12 months

Quantitative and qualitative evaluations

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
ThermographyBaseline

Cutaneous temperature measurements

Maximal exercise testingBaseline and 6 months

Progressive aerobic exercise testing on treadmill (Modified Bruce Protocol)

Isokinetic concentric exercise testingBaseline, 6 months and 12 months

Peak torque, power, work, and fatigue of the dominant quadriceps were measured using the isokinetic dynamometer

Biochemical testsBaseline and 6 months

Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), urea, creatinine, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol, insulin and glucose

Quality of lifeBaseline and 6 months

Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) and Women´s Health Questionnaire (WHQ)

Dietary habitsBaseline and 6 months

3-day dietary record

Exercise tolerance and heart rate variabilityBaseline and 6 months

Submaximal constant-speed testing and heart rate variability via autonomic reflex testing

Bone mineral densityBaseline and 12 months

Bone mineral density (femoral neck, wrist, and lumbar spine) via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA)

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Optics Group from Physics Institute of São Carlos (IFSC), University of São Paulo (USP)

🇧🇷

São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil

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