Affiliations: [a] Department of Functional Diagnostics and Physical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland | [b] Independent Laboratory of Medical Rehabilitation, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland | [c] Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland | [d] Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Anna Lubkowska, Department of Functional Diagnostics and Physical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Street Żołnierska 54, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland. Tel.: +48 91 48 00 949; Fax: +48 91 48 00 918; E-mail: annalubkowska@gmail.com.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The therapeutic effects of visible light and infrared is especially often used in physiotherapy. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of exposure to radiation on the motor units activity. METHODS: The study included 29 volunteers of whom the spontaneous and voluntary bioelectric activity of the trapezius muscle was evaluated using surface electromyography (value of average amplitude and frequency), before and immediately after a 15-minute irradiation. Additionally, the range of motion of the cervical spine and trigger points pain sensitivity to the pressure were assessed. RESULTS: No statistically significant changes in the pain sensitivity threshold and the range of motion after the irradiation was applied. On the other hand, a 15-minute exposure to radiation induced an increase in the value of average amplitude of rest-related as well as exercise-related potentials and an increase in the average value of frequency of the right side biopotentials at rest and of both sides for active elevation. CONCLUSIONS: Infrared radiation and visible red light have a stimulating effect on the muscle ability to develop active contraction. It is proposed that the observed changes are associated with the thermal effect of radiation as well as with the so-called extra-visual effects.
Keywords: Infrared radiation, visible red light, surface electromyography
