Effects of Red Light Therapy on Sleep Quality and Endurance Performance

A 2012 study published in the Journal of Athletic Training examined the effects of red light therapy on sleep quality and endurance performance in Chinese female basketball players. The study aimed to determine if full body light treatment could improve sleep quality and enhance endurance performance. The researchers found that red light therapy positively affected sleep quality and resulted in a small improvement in endurance performance. The participants who received red light therapy reported fewer sleep disturbances and showed higher levels of serum melatonin compared to the placebo group. However, it should be noted that this study had some limitations, such as the use of clothing on the participants, which may have affected light penetration. Additionally, the study focused on highly trained athletes, so the results may not be directly applicable to other populations.