OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) when associated with treadmill training on the recovery of skeletal muscle, during two periods of rest after muscle injury in rats. BACKGROUND DATA: Because of photostimulation, LLLT has been presented as an alternative for accelerating the tissue healing process. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty rats were divided into two groups (A and B) containing four subgroups each: GC (Control Group)-cryolesion untreated; EG (Exercise Group)-cryolesion treated with physical exercise; LG (Laser Group)-cryolesion treated with laser; ELG (Exercise and Laser Group)-cryolesion treated with laser and physical exercise. The right tibialis anterior (TA) of the middle belly was injured by a cooling iron bar (cryoinjury). Group A remained at rest for 3 days, whereas Group B remained at rest for 7 days. The laser parameters utilized were 780 nm with 15 mW average optical power and spot size of 0.04 cm(2) applied during 10 sec, leading to 0.152 J and 3.8 J/cm(2). Treadmill training with and without laser application was performed during 5 days, with each session lasting for 12 min at a velocity of 17 m/min. Subsequently, the TA muscle was removed for a histological and morphometric analysis. RESULTS: The damaged area was significantly smaller for the ELG at both periods of rest, 3 and 7 days, respectively (4.4 ± 0.42% and 3.5 ± 0.14%, p < 0.05), when compared with the LG (18.6 ± 0.64% and 7.5 ± 0.13%), the EG (21 ± 0.26% and 8.7 ± 0.32%), and the CG (23.9 ± 0.37% and 21.4 ± 0.38%). In addition, the number of blood vessels were significantly higher for the ELG at both periods of rest, 3 and 7 days, respectively (71.2 ± 13.51 and 104.5 ± 11.78, p < 0.05), when compared with the LG (60.6 ± 11.25 and 93.5 ± 16.87), the EG (51.6 ± 7.3 and 93.8 ± 15.1) and the CG (34.4 ± 2.54 and 65.7 ± 14.1). CONCLUSIONS: The LLLT applied before the physical exercise on the treadmill stimulated the angiogenesis and accelerated the process of muscle recovery.