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Investigating the Effects of Infrared Therapy on Bone after High-intensity Treadmill Exercise Training
Xiaohua Liu1, Lingli Zhang2, Xianji Wei2
1School of Exercise and Health, Shanghai University of Sport.
Journal of Visualized Experiments : Jove
|September 8, 2025
Summary
High-intensity exercise may harm bone health, but infrared therapy might improve bone metabolism. This study investigated infrared therapy
Area of Science:
- Bone physiology and exercise science
- Skeletal response to mechanical stress
- Therapeutic applications of infrared radiation
Background:
- Moderate exercise benefits bone mass via mechanical loading.
- High-intensity exercise may negatively impact bone density.
- Infrared therapy is known for improving circulation and tissue repair.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of infrared therapy on high-intensity exercise-induced bone metabolic disorders.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects.
- To assess infrared therapy's impact on bone metabolism markers.
Main Methods:
- 24 mice were divided into control, high-intensity treadmill exercise (HIT), and infrared therapy after HIT (IRT) groups.
- Mice underwent 8 weeks of progressive treadmill training.
- The IRT group received whole-body infrared therapy (42-45°C) 3x weekly.
Main Results:
- HIT significantly decreased bone volume, trabecular number, and upregulated osteoclast markers (Ctsk, Mmp9) compared to controls.
- HIT downregulated osteogenic genes (Atf4, Runx2, Ocn).
- IRT showed upregulated osteogenesis markers (Alp, Atf4, Runx2, Ocn, Osx) and downregulated Ctsk in the femur.
Conclusions:
- Long-term high-intensity treadmill exercise can reduce bone mass.
- Infrared therapy may not alter bone mineral density but can enhance bone metabolism.
- Further research is needed to confirm these findings in skeletal health.
