Effect of Red Light on Performance in Trained Rowers

Participants will be asked to attend four exercise sessions at a University of sports laboratory where they will be exposed to either red light (630 & 660 nm), infra-red light (810, 830, and, 850 nm), combined red and infra-red light, or a placebo (device turned on, but paused so no light is emitted), The light will be delivered with participants standing in front of the phototherapy device (SOHL® Complete) at a distance of 30 cm for 5 minutes, A researcher will accompany the participant into a private, windowless room in a University of Waikato campus laboratory. They will give instructions to the participant, position them in front of the phototherapy device, and provide them with the eye-protection. Adherence will be assessed verbally during and after the intervention. Participants will be exposed to one of either red light (630 & 660 nm), infra-red light (810, 830, and 850 nm), combined red and infra-red light (630 & 660, 810, 830, and 850 nm), or a placebo in a randomised order during the four separate visits to the laboratory. Immediately after the light exposure, the participants will perform 7, 3 minute submaximal exercise bouts on a rowing ergometer. Each bout of submaximal exercise will be separated by 2 minutes rest and each visit to the laboratory will be separated by at least 3 days.