Pain relief after isometric exercise is not task-dependent in older men and women. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2014 Jan;46(1):185-91
Date
06/25/2013Pubmed ID
23793233DOI
10.1249/MSS.0b013e3182a05de8Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84891559747 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 40 CitationsAbstract
INTRODUCTION: This study assessed the effect of isometric contractions that varied in intensity and duration on pain perception in adults older than 60 yr.
METHODS: Pain perception was measured in 24 men and women (mean ± SD age = 72.2 ± 6.2 yr) using a pressure pain device applied to the right index finger before and after isometric contractions of the left elbow flexor muscles of the following doses: 1) three brief maximal voluntary contractions (MVC), 2) 25% MVC held for 2 min, and 3) 25% MVC held to task failure.
RESULTS: Older adults reported increased pain thresholds (58 s vs 49 s, P < 0.001) and decreased pain ratings (2.8 vs 3.4, P < 0.001) after exercise, and these changes were similar across all three tasks (P = 0.94 and P = 0.55, respectively). Sex differences were identified with older women reporting greater pain sensitivity (lower pain thresholds [P = 0.01] and higher pain ratings [P = 0.004]) and larger reductions in pain ratings than men (23% vs 9%, P = 0.003) after isometric contractions.
CONCLUSIONS: Older adults experienced similar reductions in pain after several different intensities and durations of isometric contractions. Both older men and women experienced increases in pain threshold, but only older women experienced reductions in pain ratings.
Author List
Lemley KJ, Drewek B, Hunter SK, Hoeger Bement MKAuthor
Marie Hoeger Bement MPT,PhD Associate Professor in the Physical Therapy department at Marquette UniversityMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AgedAnxiety
Blood Pressure
Exercise
Exercise Test
Female
Fingers
Heart Rate
Humans
Isometric Contraction
Male
Muscle Strength
Muscle, Skeletal
Pain
Pain Perception
Pain Threshold
Physical Exertion
Pressure
Sex Factors
Time Factors
