Faculty Collaboration Database

Only women report increase in pain threshold following fatiguing contractions of the upper extremity. Eur J Appl Physiol 2016 Jul;116(7):1379-85

Date

05/25/2016

Pubmed ID

27216825

DOI

10.1007/s00421-016-3389-8

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84969769421 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   17 Citations

Abstract

PURPOSE: The perception of pain in response to a noxious stimulus can be markedly reduced following an acute bout of exercise [exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH)]. Sex differences in EIH frequently occur after exercise but may be confounded by the sex differences in muscle fatigue. The purpose was to determine if sex differences in pain relief occur after an exercise protocol when muscle fatigue is similar for both young and older men and women.

METHODS: Pain perception of 33 men (15 young) and 31 women (19 young) was measured using a pressure pain stimulus on the left index finger before and after maximal velocity concentric contractions of knee extensors or elbow flexors (separate days). During the 2-min pressure pain test, participants verbally indicated the onset of pain (pain threshold) and reported pain intensity (0-10) every 20 s.

RESULTS: Only women experienced an increase in pain threshold (30 ± 27 to 41 ± 32 s) following elbow flexor exercise (trial × sex: p = 0.03). Neither men nor women experienced an increase in pain threshold following knee extensor exercise, and pain ratings were unchanged after exercise with either limb (p > 0.05). The pain response to exercise was similar in young and older adults (trial × age: p > 0.05), despite older adults demonstrating greater fatigability than young adults for the elbow flexor and knee extensor exercise tasks.

CONCLUSIONS: Under controlled conditions where muscle fatigue is similar, sex differences in EIH occur in young and older adults that is site specific (upper extremity). Only women experience EIH following acute single limb high-velocity contractions.

Author List

Lemley KJ, Senefeld J, Hunter SK, Hoeger Bement M

Author

Marie 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

Adaptation, Physiological
Adult
Aged
Exercise
Female
Humans
Male
Muscle Contraction
Muscle Fatigue
Myalgia
Pain Perception
Pain Threshold
Reproducibility of Results
Self Report
Sensitivity and Specificity
Sex Factors
Upper Extremity