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Infrared Body Therapy: Proven Effects or Just Hype?

This study evaluates whether far-infrared (FIR) emitting fabrics help elite athletes recover faster from muscle soreness after intense training. The findings highlight a small but notable benefit in reducing delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), especially 48 to 72 hours post-exercise.

What the Science Says

As sports recovery tools become more advanced, far-infrared (FIR) emitting materials are being integrated into athletic wear with claims of accelerating recovery and reducing pain. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial led by Loturco et al. (2016) tested the effectiveness of FIR-emitting clothes on exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) and recovery performance in elite soccer players. The study focused on how these clothes affected muscle soreness and physical performance after a demanding plyometric workout of 100 drop-jumps.

Twenty-one male soccer players were divided into two groups: one wore FIR-emitting garments, while the other wore identical placebo clothing without FIR properties. Both groups wore their assigned garments during sleep for three consecutive nights, beginning six hours after the workout.

Measurements were taken at multiple intervals over three days to track mid-thigh swelling, plasma creatine kinase (CK) levels (a muscle damage marker), delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), vertical jump performance, and leg press strength.

The study found no significant differences between the two groups in physical performance recovery or swelling. However, while both groups reported muscle soreness, the FIR group showed a reduced perception of pain at 48 and 72 hours post-exercise, supported by moderate (effect size = 0.737) and large (effect size = 0.844) reductions in DOMS compared to the placebo group. CK levels rose at 24 hours for both groups but returned to baseline by 72 hours, indicating mild muscle damage and resilience among the trained athletes.

These results suggest that FIR garments may help alleviate soreness, though their impact on other recovery markers remains unclear.

Evidence-Based Reliability Score

The sample was small but included elite athletes. The study was methodologically strong with a double-blind, placebo-controlled design, but outcomes were limited to a narrow scope of effects and lacked long-term data.

65%

Real-World Performance

⚙️ FIR clothing reduced muscle soreness at 48 and 72 hours post-exercise without interfering with training schedules.

⚙️ No improvements were observed in strength, jump performance, or limb swelling, indicating limited benefits beyond perceived pain relief.

⚙️ The garments were effective when worn for 10 hours overnight, suggesting practicality for real-world athletic use.

⚙️ The FIR effect was mild and delayed, becoming more apparent after the 48-hour mark.

Good to Know

🔍 Only delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) improved, not strength or muscle recovery markers like creatine kinase.

🔍 The clothes must be worn overnight for several hours to achieve any observable effect.

🔍 Effects were moderate to large only in pain perception, not in measurable performance outcomes.

🔍 Best suited for highly trained athletes; results may differ in general or less conditioned populations.

🔍 No adverse effects were reported, suggesting the method is safe and easy to implement.

🔍 FIR clothes may complement, but not replace, traditional recovery methods.

🔍 Results may vary based on the timing of application post-exercise.

🔍 DOMS was assessed only through visual pain scales; more robust tools (like algometry) are needed for deeper insight.

The Consumer Takeaway

This study offers a grounded assessment of FIR-emitting recovery wear in a sports context. While the garments did not influence strength or measurable physical recovery, they showed a clear benefit in reducing perceived muscle soreness, particularly between 48 and 72 hours after high-intensity exercise.

These findings support the potential of FIR textiles as a non-invasive, passive recovery aid, especially useful for athletes aiming to reduce training discomfort without disrupting routines. However, as the effects were limited to subjective soreness and lacked broader physiological impact, further research is essential to evaluate their long-term benefits and effectiveness in other populations or sports settings.

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