Athletes can warm up with infrared light: study

[Celebration]

http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=healthNews&storyID=2006-08-24T192918Z_01_FLE470130_RTRUKOC_0_US-ATHLETES-INFRARED.xml&WTmodLoc=NewsHome-C3-healthNews-3

In a study of 24 young adults, Japanese researchers found that a device that emits near-infrared light warmed up the shoulder muscles better than standard warm-up exercise.

Since pre-competition warm-ups can end up tiring an athlete, this so-called "deep thermal therapy" could offer an exertion-free alternative, according to the study authors, led by Dr. Shinichi Demura of Kanazawa University.

The idea of using a "passive" warm-up before competition is not new. Hot pads and steamy showers are other ways of warming the muscles and improving range of motion in the joints, Demura and colleagues note in their report in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine.

However, they add, irradiation with polarized near-infrared light can penetrate to deeper muscles and, theoretically, provide a more thorough warm-up. The technique has already been used to treat pain from joint and muscle injuries and from nerve damage.