Efeito da fototerapia sobre a recuperação em jogadores de futebol

Abstract

Phototherapy (PHOTO) has been used as a potential recovery strategy after fatiguing physical exercises. However, the effect of PHOTO on acute fatigue and recovery of performance in soccer players is still unknown. Thus, the present study analyzed the effects of the PHOTO on the fatigue induced by a match and the recovery after the match by period of 48-h. Twenty players were randomly allocated into two groups (n = 10 for each group): PHOTO (30-s each point, 5 points on each lower limb - total 5-min for both lower limbs) and control (SHAM), equally distributed within the two teams. The players performed physical tests in four different moments: at rest (baseline 48-h before the game), immediately after the match, 24-h and 48-h after the match. The tests were: vertical jump counter movement test (VJCT), Illinois's agility and the Yoyo intermittent recovery test level 2 (YoYoIRT2). In addition to these measurements, recovery perceptions, delayed onset muscle soreness and rating of perceived exertion (at different times), heart rate (HR) and distances traveled (GPS 5-Hz) in different speed zones in the match (n = 5 each group) were collected. There were no differences between PHOTO vs. SHAM (p > 0.05) for all perceptual variables, as well as HR responses during the match (PHOTO 82 ± 5% vs. 84 ± 2% SHAM) and total distance covered. All the physical tests performed (VJCT, agility and YoYoIRT2) worsened (p < 0.05) after the match in relation to the baseline, but with no difference (p > 0.05) between PHOTO and SHAM were found in all time points up to 48-h post-match. We conclude that the use of PHOTO did not influence the fatigue induced by the match, nor the recovery after the match per 48-h of recovery in young soccer players.