Assessing the Impact of Post-Exercise Photobiomodulation Application on Performance, Recovery, and Behavioral State in a Military Special Operations Group - Big Sky Sports Medicine Conference
n hughes, b cornell, r rossi, e metzger, n hager, g gabler, l wagner, b isaacson, p pasquina
Abstract accepted for poster presentation at the 2025 Big Sky Sports Medicine Conference
Special Operations Forces (SOF) train continually to maintain peak performance, thus, are always in a state of recovery. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) is a noninvasive low-level laser treatment to enhance healing, recovery, and performance. Studies have shown performance and recovery benefits with focal applications of PBMT. While less evidence exists for psychological effects of systemic PBMT applications, self-reported fatigue was found to be lower with focal PBMT compared with placebo. Further, PBMT research in elite warfighters is limited. The Army Tactical Human Optimization Rapid Rehabilitation and Reconditioning (THOR3) provides a consistent setting for strength and cardiovascular training, conditioning, nutritional and behavioral health monitoring and is an optimal setting to assess the effect of PBMT on performance and behavioral measures. We aim to study the physiologic and behavioral effects of PBMT, post-exercise, on performance in SOF.
We will conduct a single-blind, randomized-control trial in healthy SOF operators, assigned to receive PBMT or sham-PBMT post- training. Treatment will be administered 3 times/week for 3 weeks to both quadriceps. Objective measures include body fat percentage, height/weight, isokinetic/isometric leg strength, Oura ring sleep/activity data, and countermovement jump. Subjective measures include demographics, Rating of Perceived Exertion, Short Questionnaire of Fatigue, delayed muscle soreness scale, Defense Veterans Pain Rating Scale, and activity logs.
PBMT shows promise in accelerating musculoskeletal repair, psychological resilience, thereby reducing injury risk and enhancing overall performance. This study may inform standards of training and care to maximize readiness among elite warfighting units.