W
L
TRAIN HARDER,
RECOVER BETTER
The New Year is always a great opportunity to turn over a new
leaf, start a new page or to make something happen. Many New
Year resolutions revolve around health and fitness, irrespective
of whether that is motivated by getting your beach bod ready for
the summer, knocking a few minutes off your 10k time or losing
a few pounds, just to feel better. The stats aren’t happy reading
though, with many resolutions falling by the wayside.
When it comes to exercise and fitness, one of the major reasons
people fall off the wagon is down to the aches and pains that come
with an exercise programme. If that picture sounds familiar, then
don’t worry, you are in good company, these issues are the same
whether you are getting back into activity or programming for an
Olympic cycle! It is also one of the main reasons that Elite athletes
focus so much on the recovery aspect of training. They get bigger
bang for their workout buck and can get back sooner, to make
bigger gains.
Photobiomodulation (PBM) has been embraced by many elite
sports and groups including Premiership football, NBA, NHL and
NFL alongside the military to improve both athletic performance
and recovery. Peer reviewed clinical studies, many of which
are randomised, blinded and placebo controlled, have shown
significant improvements in:
• Strength – increased number of reps, maximum contraction
and grip strength
• Size – muscle hypertrophy
• Endurance -time to fatigue
• Speed – velocity
And a reduction in:
• Exercise induced muscle damage
• Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)
• Inflammation
Furthermore, the literature suggests that when PBM is combined
with exercise, particularly in women, the results promote clinically
significant reductions in overall body circumference, fat loss
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and changes in body composition and skeletal muscle mass. The
evidence suggests that these changes are due to a combination of
effects elicited by light therapy on the body:
Firstly, the red and near infrared light penetrates the cells across a
range of depths and is absorbed by the mitochondria. This results
in increased efficiency of mitochondrial function and in turn and
increased production of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), which
the cells use to perform their functions. In muscle cells, this may
be effectively converting your fuel to allow for muscle contraction
– but as they are burning oxygen more efficiently - they need to
rely less on the fermentation of glucose in your cells, and therefore
produce less lactic acid – so you can lift more or run farther!
Secondly, red and near infrared light reduces the direct mechanical
stress and secondary inflammatory damage created by exercise,
thereby reducing the post exercise soreness experienced by many –
which often causes people not to comply with their regime.
Whole body PBM is a natural and safe way to maximise
your progress and adherence to your goals. Treatment lasts
approximately 15 minutes in the light pod, with as much skin
exposed as possible, as the light does not penetrate clothing. The
bigger the surface exposed the better the absorption of the specific
wavelengths of light.
PBM is a powerful tool alongside exercise to help people achieve
their goals and not become a statistic.
LUME PBM and the UTS Hoylake are pleased to support the
athletes and contestants competing in forthcoming events for
Claire House (London Marathon and Claire House does Strictly).
Whether a weekend warrior, elite performer, charity runner or
strictly contestant – unleash your body’s ability to improve with
light!
For more information, contact the Underground Training Station,
Hoylake or email [email protected]