Does treadmill walking with near-infrared light applied to the abdominal area reduce local adiposity and body weight?

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine the effect on local fat deposition and body weight of wearing a near-infrared light belt around the abdomen. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-eight obese female subjects participated in this experiment. For measurement of body composition, an impedance-style body fat analyzer was used. The experimental group performed treadmill walking 3 times per week for 12 weeks while wearing an activated near-infrared belt around the abdomen. The near-infrared belt was composed of light-emitting diodes having wavelengths of 630 nm, 830 nm, 880 nm, and 956 nm. [Results] The analysis of abdominal circumference indicated that the abdominal circumference of the experimental group was reduced in post-test measurements compared to pre-test. [Conclusion] This investigation showed significant reductions in abdominal circumference, abdominal fat percentage, fat mass, and body-mass index for the experimental compared to the control group, suggesting that changes in body composition can be enhanced when near-infrared radiation is applied to the abdomen during walking.