The role of the menstrual cycle phase in pain perception before and after an isometric fatiguing contraction. Eur J Appl Physiol 2009 May;106(1):105-12
Date
02/04/2009Pubmed ID
19189119DOI
10.1007/s00421-009-0995-8Scopus ID
2-s2.0-67349115358 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 37 CitationsAbstract
The purpose of this study was to compare exercise-induced analgesia in young women after a fatiguing isometric contraction during different phases of the menstrual cycle. Twenty female subjects performed a submaximal (25% maximal voluntary contraction) isometric contraction until task failure during both the mid-follicular and mid-luteal phases of their menstrual cycle. Pain perception (i.e., pain threshold and pain ratings) was measured before and after the isometric fatiguing contraction. Other measures included mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and anxiety levels. Time to task failure of the fatiguing contraction was similar for the two phases of the menstrual cycle. Following the performance of the isometric contraction: (1) pain thresholds increased and pain ratings decreased; (2) anxiety levels increased; and (3) mean arterial pressure and heart rate increased. These changes were not dependent on the phase of the menstrual cycle. Thus, the menstrual cycle phase does not influence the magnitude of exercise-induced analgesia.
Author List
Hoeger Bement MK, Rasiarmos RL, DiCapo JM, Lewis A, Keller ML, Harkins AL, Hunter SKAuthors
April Harkins PhD Assistant Professor in the Clinical Laboratory Science department at Marquette UniversityMarie Hoeger Bement MPT,PhD Associate Professor in the Physical Therapy department at Marquette University
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AnxietyCardiovascular Physiological Phenomena
Female
Heart Rate
Humans
Hydrocortisone
Isometric Contraction
Menstrual Cycle
Muscle Fatigue
Pain
Pain Threshold
Perception
Task Performance and Analysis
Venous Pressure
Young Adult
