7 Healing Benefits of Red Light Therapy for Soccer Players

Red light therapy, also known as red light treatment or photobiomodulation (PBM), is a non-invasive therapy that uses red and near-infrared light to improve performance and recovery. In recent years, red light therapy has gained attention in sports medicine because it supports muscle function, improves circulation, and optimizes the body’s natural healing process.

Recovery is one of the pillars of better soccer performance, along with talent, game IQ, mindset, athleticism, fitness, and discipline, and it includes your sleep quality, nutrition, hydration, Non-Native Electromagnetic frequency (EMF) protection, and Native EMF exposure. Natural red light, from full-spectrum sunlight, falls under Native EMF exposure, and red light therapy can be seen as a targeted way to supplement that exposure.

At a fundamental level, red light is the same as heat, or thermal energy, but in a more targeted and therapeutic form that allows our body to absorb the light. Ideally, it is best to get red light naturally, because sunlight provides a full spectrum of wavelengths, which includes all the colors of the rainbow, not just red, that support overall health, balance circadian rhythms, and stimulate cellular energy in the human body.

However, for athletes who train indoors due to poor weather during soccer season, live in colder climates, or want to accelerate their recovery process, using a red light therapy device can provide a convenient and consistent way to harness these same benefits year-round. Although red light therapy won’t instantly make you a better player or help you get in better shape, using it regularly along with the right training and other recovery techniques can have a huge positive impact on your performance and recovery.

In this blog post, I will go over the main benefits of using a red light therapy device as a soccer player.

What are the benefits of using a red light therapy device?

Using red light therapy has many performance and recovery benefits because our bodies interact with the different wavelengths of the visible light spectrum, and each wavelength has different physiological effects on our bodies. Red and near-infrared light penetrate the deepest into human muscle tissue, where they help boost cellular energy, improve blood flow, support the body’s natural healing process, and expand the Exclusion Zone / 4th phase of water inside of our mitochondria.

These are the main benefits of red light therapy for soccer players, explained.

Increases Cellular Energy Production

Red light therapy improves cellular energy by stimulating the mitochondria to produce more ATP, the main fuel for muscle performance and recovery. This boost in cellular repair helps soccer players maintain higher energy levels and reduce muscle fatigue better after intense exercise.

Improves Blood Flow and Circulation

Exposure to red and near-infrared light promotes vasodilation in blood vessels, which means they widen and allow more oxygen-rich blood to reach muscle tissue. This improved circulation supports nutrient delivery, faster muscle recovery, and overall better sports performance on the field.

Speeds Up Muscle Recovery and Repair

Red light therapy devices help reduce oxidative stress and accelerate muscle repair, which helps minimize muscle soreness from overuse, through low-level laser therapy (LLLT). Red light therapy also helps with muscle recovery due to improving blood flow and cellular energy, as explained above.

Natural Pain Relief and Inflammation Reduction

By improving blood flow and cellular energy, red light therapy also helps lower inflammation and ease muscle or joint pain after training and matches. This natural pain relief response allows soccer players to recover faster from muscle soreness, overuse injuries, and minor strains without relying on medication, but remember that this type of therapy has to be combined with the other recovery basics principles.

Accelerated Healing of Sports Injuries

When combined with proper recovery habits like sleep, nutrition, hydration, EMF protection, and the right prehab exercises, red light therapy can significantly improve the body’s ability to heal from sports injuries. The red and infrared light wavelengths penetrate deep into muscle tissue, stimulating tissue repair, reducing inflammation, and promoting faster recovery from common acute soccer injuries such as strains, sprains, and micro-tears.

Improves Athletic Performance and Endurance

Because red light therapy improves cellular energy production, blood flow, muscle recovery, and the other benefits mentioned previously on this list, it naturally leads to better overall sports performance. Consistent use of red light therapy helps soccer players train harder, reduce fatigue, and sustain higher levels of endurance throughout long matches and demanding seasons.

Improves Sleep Quality and Circadian Rhythm Regulation

Finally, red light therapy helps balance your circadian rhythm by supporting natural melatonin production and reducing the negative effects of blue light exposure. The best way to get natural red light first thing in the morning is by going outside during sunrise, which helps signal your body’s internal clock, boost alertness, and improve sleep quality later at night.

Also, after sunset, it is important to avoid artificial blue light from screens and bright indoor lighting, as it can disrupt melatonin levels and delay sleep. Using red light therapy devices or warm lighting in the evening can help your body wind down naturally, supporting deeper recovery and overall athletic performance.

Final Thoughts

Red light therapy is an effective treatment for soccer players looking to enhance recovery, reduce inflammation, and improve athletic performance naturally. When combined with proper training, sleep, and nutrition, it supports long-term muscle health and overall sports performance.

FAQs

How does red light therapy work for soccer players?

Red light therapy works by using red and near-infrared light to penetrate muscle tissue, stimulate cellular repair, increase blood flow, and accelerate the healing process after intense exercise or sports injuries. The reason this works is that every color of the rainbow interacts with the body differently, and red and infrared wavelengths specifically activate the mitochondria—the powerhouses of our cells—to produce more energy (ATP), reduce inflammation, and support overall muscle recovery.

Can you overdo red light therapy sessions?

Yes, it’s possible to overdo red light therapy in the same way you can get too much of any other wavelength. While red and near-infrared light are generally safe, excessive exposure can reduce the therapy’s effectiveness, so it’s best to follow proper session guidelines and give your body time to recover between uses for optimal healing and performance benefits.

What are the best soccer recovery options for players?

The best soccer recovery options for players include high-quality soccer recovery equipment, effective injury prevention tools, and structured habits built through following consistent routines, from training routines and daily routines to morning routines that support performance and longevity. It is also important for players to invest in off-field recovery tools and in-game protective gear, such as compression gear, shin guards, supportive footwear like barefoot shoes, extra recovery accessories such as EMF protection for soccer players, and foundational support from soccer supplements to help the body recover, adapt, and stay resilient throughout the season.