Potential Effect of Intravascular Laser Irradiation of Blood (ILIB) in Improving Physical Performance: A Narrative...

Background: The intravascular laser irradiation of blood (ILIB) is a low-power laser technique that has been studied since the 1970s, and it is associated with the substantial capability to modulate various physiological processes. Indeed, ILIB involves the irradiation of blood with low-intensity light, typically within the red or near-infrared spectrum, to trigger a cascade of photochemical and photobiological events. Objective: This study aimed to analyze previous findings regarding ILIB effects on physical performance. Methods: This study is a narrative review of the literature, addressing the effects of ILIB on multiple organ systems and its impact on physical performance. Results: The most found effects include antioxidant activation, inhibition of inflammatory processes, increased blood fluidity, and improved hemorheological properties. The ILIB affects blood rheological properties based on vasodilatation and decreasing aggregation of thrombocytes. Other effects include improved deformability of erythrocytes, which results in a better supply of oxygen and a decrease in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide. Since ILIB is a photobiomodulation procedure, other applications can be considered, such as ergogenic intervention. In this context, ILIB may favor performance in aerobic exercises and contribute to practices involving anaerobic metabolism by facilitating phosphocreatine resynthesis and ATP restoration. Conclusions: Multiple findings seek to support the potential benefits of ILIB on metabolic and cardiovascular responses associated with exercise training, providing potential improvements in athletic performance.