Unfortunately though, these injuries are relatively common - even for the most successful of athletes. Following research around the Beijing Olympic Games, 67% of interruptions to training for British athletes from Olympic sports were found to be due to injury.
Injury data showed that 43% of athletes will get at least one injury per season, some suffering multiple injuries, with each injury causing on average 17 days lost to training and one competition to be missed.
In the sports world, finding marginal gains can mean the difference between first and second. And if you can’t compete or train efficiently, whether it be for a local marathon, basketball game, or the 2024 Olympic Games, this can be detrimental to your success.
To help ensure a smoother and quicker recovery from a dreaded injury or even prevent any such incident from occurring, red light therapy can work wonders.
How Red Light Therapy Benefits Athletes
Muscle Recovery
Red light therapy works by utilizing specific wavelengths of light, which can penetrate deep beneath the skin, to deliver energy to cells. As a result of the increased cellular energy production, along with the extra oxygen and nutrients that can be delivered to the cells, red light therapy speeds up the recovery process.
This heightened action within the cells means they can function better and quicker. As the enhanced blood circulation allows these nutrients to reach the damaged muscles and tissues, it expedites the healing process. An added extra is this process should rid your body of waste products and inflammatory substances too.
Inflammation
A major benefit of red light therapy is the reduction in inflammation. When a joint is inflamed or swollen, mobility can be significantly reduced. And when left unaddressed, inflammation can be the sneaky culprit behind damaged healthy cells, tissues, and organs. It can ignite various disorders like arthritis, asthma, and much more.
So, tackling inflammation head-on is very necessary for those who engage in sports.
By increasing blood flow to the damaged tissues, red light therapy alleviates inflammation - helping the pain in your joints and muscles too!
Injuries and Recovery
When the red light engages that process of increasing blood flow (through the release of nitric oxide) and cellular energy production, this accelerates tissue repair, leading to a shorter recovery time frame.
This equates to quicker healing of the damaged tissue and muscles, so red light therapy athletes, gym goers, and others can get back to exercising sooner rather than later.
Improved Endurance
A plethora of studies highlight the brilliance of red light therapy on sports performance: One study found that pre-conditioning with photobiomodulation (another term for red light therapy) and applying this after exercise increases sports performance in athletes.
More findings show that athletes who used red light therapy before exercise took significantly longer to get tired from a movement, compared to those who did not. This is all due to the greater amount of oxygen and nutrients that can reach the muscles, meaning greater endurance for those who use red light therapy before working out.
Don’t just take our word for it, but British Endurance Athlete and World Record Holder Nick Butter…
Build Muscle Mass
As red light therapy promotes the repair and then growth of healthy muscle tissue, or muscle hypertrophy, this can increase muscle size and bulk - along with strength.
In a study published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology, muscle thickness and growth were improved by over 50% in the group that used light therapy in comparison to another group that didn’t. The results were visible when using ultrasound imaging and isokinetic dynamometry.
Improvement of Mental Health
It’s not just the physical factors that impede or improve sports performance. Mental health plays a huge role in this, with psychological factors having a substantial influence on the recovery journey.
Several studies show that injured athletes with higher levels of stress, anxiety, and fear of reinjury are less likely to fully recover.
Having an accessible treatment that can be administered in the comfort of your own home decreases the stress of movement and provides a sense of empowerment. With red light therapy being a great prevention tool, this can further instill confidence into athletes returning from an injury.
Plus, light therapy does contribute to mental wellbeing directly. It has been said to improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression.
Fitting Red Light Therapy Into Your Training Schedule
Thankfully, in today’s age, we no longer have to traipse around the city to find effective treatments. Instead, these can be delivered at home or on the go.
For those who lead busy lives, this is a major advantage as you can say goodbye to expensive clinic sessions and hours wasted commuting to and from to receive treatment.
When you have your own device, you can fit red light therapy sessions into your training schedule seamlessly.
It’s all about consistency, but it only requires 5 - 15 minutes of your time per day. This can be incorporated into your night time routine or when stretching and preparing for training.
The Benefits Of Using A Personal Device
- Convenient
- Accessible
- Customizable
- Controlled
- Cost-effective
- Pain management
- Non-invasive
- Drug-free
- Holistic healing potential
Having your own red light therapy device is truly empowering, as you can take control of your treatment, manage your pain effectively, and bring major advancements into your sporting career.
How To Use Your Device
The beauty of a red light therapy device is that it’s lightweight, wireless, and you can use it anywhere you please.
Creating a positive environment for treatment may be high on the priority list for some, whilst others may opt to take it to the gym or keep it on hand for when needed.
Wherever you choose to use the device, it’s as simple as placing the device on the area of the body you’re concerned about. Accessories like extender straps can provide extra circumference for usage around larger areas like the back, hip, and stomach.
The Kineon MOVE+
Here at Kineon, our MOVE+ device is a portable red light therapy tool that can help you improve your sports performance, endurance, and repair your body if an injury hits.
This medical-grade laser technology has been based on hundreds of successful clinical trials to make sure only the most effective wavelengths, dosage, and components are used.
You’ll never be left feeling stuck with Kineon either, as we have an online help desk with further resources and questions on our homepage and access to our support team via chat box or email - whenever you need us!
For the curious, there’s a money-back guarantee, meaning you can try the device in the comfort of your own home for 30 days. If you’re unsatisfied with your results, we’ll refund you or provide further guidance.
And we know all about athletes' needs when it comes to an impactful and truly beneficial device. We are trusted by elite athletes worldwide.
Crossfit Athlete Emily Rolfe said: “Since I’ve been using the MOVE+ just 15 minutes nightly, many of my nagging injuries have virtually gone away.
“It’s an easy addition to my recovery and it sets me up for success!
“Whether you’re a high-level athlete or you just want to increase your quality of life, it’s worth it.”
Red Light Therapy And Conventional Methods For Recovery
Compression Therapy
Compression therapy uses controlled pressure to increase blood flow to the relevant area. This is said to decrease swelling and support your veins.
The most commonly seen forms of compression therapy include compression stockings, wraps, or specific devices like a wearable compression boot.
While this could be a good tactic to ward off poor circulation, there are some risks including skin irritation, discomfort, pain and swelling. It can also be an uncomfortable item to wear for long periods of time. In contrast, red light only requires 5 - 20 minutes a day and there’s no discomfort.
Improve Sports Performance With Kineon
Looking to up your endurance and perform better in your daily life? Look no further than Kineon.
We pride ourselves on being trusted by top health experts and professionals worldwide. Our site has numerous testimonials from incredible athletes, competitors, nutritionists, and doctors - with several ambassadors under our belt too.
Our medical-grade laser device called the MOVE+ Pro delivers the healing power of red light directly to the surface of your skin, precisely targeting the areas that need it most, whether it's your ligaments, tendons, or any other spot in need of some tender loving care.
Interested in trying our red light therapy device? We have a 30-day guarantee, meaning we will offer you a refund or further guidance if you’re not completely satisfied with the results. Get started here!
All we ask is that you use the MOVE+ Pro 3-5 times per week for 5-15 minutes per day over 4 weeks. If there is still no improvement, we will provide you with a refund.
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