The Effect of Green LED Light Exposure on Isometric Exercise Performance

Abstract

Athletic performance is the doorway to many opportunities, from professional sports to leading a
healthy lifestyle. Fatigue is known as the leading factor preventing people from training to their
full capacity and obtaining their desired athletic ability. Evidence has shown that exposure to
green light lowers chronic, tactile pain and possibly increases athletic performance in track
athletes. This study investigated the effect of exposure to green LED light on an isometric
exercise performance. Participants (N=15) performed 3 unilateral dumbbell holds (LDH) with
their dominant hand after one practice set with their non-dominant hand. The participants were
randomly split up into two different groups; Group one was exposed to green LED light first
while Group two was exposed to white LED light first. After at least four days the participants
performed the same exact procedure with the only change being the light they were exposed to.
We found that green LED light increased the duration participants were able to perform the LDH
hold by 10.05%; participants exposed to the green light had an average LDH hold for 75.3
seconds as opposed to white light where the average was 69 seconds (P=0.01). These results
have implications for utilizing green LED light for athletic training, specifically in regards to
isometric strength training. Further research is needed to determine the extent to which utilizing
green LED light can benefit athletes and people in general. More research needs to be done to
see if these results translate to other types of training.