A randomised crossover trial comparing photobiomodulation therapy with other recovery strategies in CrossFit athletes

Clinical Snapshot

Key Findings

• P Value: Primary outcome: non-significant; Secondary outcomes: p < 0.05 to p < 0.0001 for various comparisons

• Effect Size: Not reported in abstract

• Primary Outcome: No significant difference in countermovement jump height at 1-hour post-WOD between interventions

• Nnt Or Sensitivity: Not calculable from available data

• Confidence Interval: Not reported in abstract

Clinical Application

PBMT-sMF requires specialised equipment and trained operators, limiting widespread implementation Limited relevance to mainstream Australian sports medicine practice; may be applicable in elite sports recovery centres. No current PBS listing for these devices in recovery applications CrossFit athletes and potentially other high-intensity training populations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study compared the effects of different therapeutic modalities on recovery following the workout of the day (WOD) in CrossFit athletes, focusing on reducing muscle damage and improving functional performance. METHODS: In a randomised, controlled, crossover design, twelve CrossFit athletes underwent four post-WOD recovery interventions across four weeks: passive recovery (PR), intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC), extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), and photobiomodulation therapy combined with a static magnetic field (PBMT-sMF). Assessments were conducted at baseline, and at 1, 24, and 48 hours post-WOD. The primary outcome was vertical jump performance (countermovement jump [CMJ] height) at 1-hour post-WOD; secondary outcomes included lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), carbonylated proteins, perceived exertion, and intervention satisfaction. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between interventions in CMJ height at 1-hour post-WOD. In contrast, PBMT-sMF outperformed the other interventions in the secondary outcomes. PBMT-sMF significantly improved CMJ height at 24 and 48 hours compared with PR (p < 0.05) and led to greater reductions in LDH at both time points (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). PBMT-sMF also produced lower TBARS and carbonylated protein levels, with higher CAT and SOD activities at 24 and 48 hours (p < 0.05 and p < 0.0001, respectively). CAT and SOD activities were also significantly elevated at 1 hour post-WOD compared with PR (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: PBMT-sMF may be an effective recovery strategy for CrossFit athletes, with its benefits possibly related to the modulation of oxidative stress as an underlying mechanism. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial registration number: NCT06628609.

References

1. 1.Martins, P. H., Tomazoni, S. S., Machado, C. S., Pereira, A. L., Pinto, H. D., Lino, M. M. A., Ribeiro, N. F., Dias, L. B., Aleixo Junior, I. O., de Oliveira, M. F. D., de Araújo-Silva, O. M., De Marchi, T., Casalechi, H. L., & Leal-Junior, E. C. P. (2026). A randomised crossover trial comparing photobiomodulation therapy with other recovery strategies in CrossFit athletes. PLoS One. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0349880