Photobiomodulation therapy and NMES improve muscle strength and jumping performance in young volleyball athletes: a randomized controlled trial study in Brazil

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of adding photobiomodulation therapy and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to volleyball athletes’ training, focusing on muscle strength and jumping skills. Thirty-six athletes were randomly placed into three groups: control, photobiomodulation therapy, and NMES. The athletes trained to improve their muscle strength and jumping skills. The athletes in the photobiomodulation therapy group were submitted to photobiomodulation therapy (850 nm, continuous, energy density 0.8 J/cm², radiant energy per point 6 J, total radiant energy 36 J) before undergoing strength and plyometric training. The NMES group additionally underwent NMES-based quadriceps femoris muscle strength training (base frequency 1 kHz, frequency modulation 70 Hz, intensity maximum tolerable). The variables analyzed were muscle strength, jumping ability, global impression, and jump frequency; they were measured at baseline and during follow-ups at 6 and 8 weeks. The statistical analysis was conducted on an intention-to-treat basis. The between-group differences and their respective 95% CIs were calculated using linear mixed models by using group, time, and group-versus-time interaction terms. Dominant lower limb strength improved the most in the NMES group compared to the control group (mean difference = 1.4, 95% CI = .5 to 2.4). Non-dominant lower limb strength increased in both the photobiomodulation therapy group (mean difference = 1.1, 95% CI = .3 to 2) and the NMES group (mean difference = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.1 to 2.8) compared to the control group, but the NMES group improved more than the photobiomodulation therapy group (mean difference = 0.8, 95% CI = 0.1 to 1.7). The NMES group had the greatest improvement in global perceived effect scale compared to the control group (mean difference = 1.1, 95% CI = 1 to 2.2). Dominant lower limb strength improved in the NMES group compared to the control group. Non-dominant lower limb strength increased in both the photobiomodulation therapy group and the NMES group compared to the control group, but the NMES group improved significantly more than the photobiomodulation therapy group; the NMES group also improved in the global perceived effect scale compared to the control group. This study found that, for volleyball athletes, photobiomodulation therapy and NMES both promoted benefits in terms of muscle-strength gain. In addition, these benefits were maintained for 2 weeks even after training was interrupted. Dominant lower limb strength improved in the NMES group compared to the control group. Non-dominant lower limb strength increased in both the photobiomodulation therapy group and the NMES group compared to the control group, but the NMES group improved significantly more than the photobiomodulation therapy group; the NMES group also improved in global impression of jumps compared to the control group.