LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — UNLV Football is turning to red light therapy in an effort to help players recover and stay on the field.
A few months after using the technology, the Rebels’ head football athletic trainer says it is already seeing results.
Four red light therapy chambers are now part of the recovery room inside UNLV football’s training facility.
“We wanted to bring them to go and actually prevent our injuries, to be able to have our guys warm their tissue up before practice. There has been research to show that warmer tissue going out to the field will actually help prevent injuries. The second is to actually try to help eliminate delayed onset muscle soreness post-practice,” said Fred Donnell, head football athletic trainer at UNLV.
Red light therapy chambers use red and near-infrared light in a process called photobiomodulation, designed to support healing and recovery.
Trainer reports fewer injuries
“So this time last year, our rate of injury has actually decreased, which has been great for us, right? Because now we’re able to get more guys practicing,” Donnell said. “To be able to have the benefits show immediately, within the first four months of this technology being here. I mean, it’s been helping us out tenfold.”
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Study examines brain inflammation
The technology has been around since the late 1960s.
A new study from the University of Utah and BYU, published in the Journal of Neurotrauma, found red light therapy can help protect football players from brain inflammation caused by repetitive head impacts.
“I believe that as long as the research can back the benefits, I believe that this is just going to go farther and farther and that you will see a lot more facilities with red light treatment,” Donnell said.
“My staff and I get paid to make sure that our guys are returning to the field in a timely manner but also safely, right? And to be able to have this technology here for us helps us do our jobs,” he added.
Cost and approval status
Red light therapy devices and chambers are not FDA-approved.
The $12,000 therapy chambers were funded by private donations.
The football program is also considering red light helmets in the near future as research continues.
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