Assessing the Impact of Post-Excercise Photobiomodulation Application on Performance, Recovery, and Behavioral State in a Trained Special Operator Population- MHSRS 2024

Hughes n, cornell b, gabler g, rossi r, metzger e, hager n, wagner l, isaacson b, pasquina p

Abstract accepted for poster presentation at the 2024 Military Health System Research Symposium

Special Operations Forces (SOF) train continually to maintain peak performance. Thus, they are nearly always in a state of recovery, and in need of noninvasive therapies to address the taxing workload. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) is a noninvasive treatment where a low-level laser is applied to the body to enhance healing, recovery, and performance. Army Tactical Human Optimization Rapid Rehabilitation and Reconditioning (THOR3) provides a consistent avenue for implementation of PBMT as a modality. Studies in athletes have shown performance and recovery benefits with pre-and post-workout focal application of PBMT. While there is less evidence on the potential cognitive/behavioral effects of a systematic application of PBMT, self-reported fatigue has also been found to be significantly lower in groups with focal PBMT application as compared to placebo. Further, PBMT research in healthy military tactical athletes is limited. PBMT may be a promising tool for enhancing physical performance by accelerating musculoskeletal and psychological recovery in the SOF population. We aim to study the physiologic and behavioral effects of PBMT application post-exercise on performance in SOF Operators.

PBMT shows promise in accelerating musculoskeletal repair and psychological resilience, reducing injury risk, and enhancing performance in these domains. Potentially, this study may inform standards of training and care to maximize readiness among elite warfighting units.