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Tomschi F, Ransmann P, Schmidt A, Hilberg T. Exercise induced hypoalgesia after a high intensity functional training: a randomized controlled crossover study. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil 2024; 16:182. [PMID: 39198898 PMCID: PMC11351546 DOI: 10.1186/s13102-024-00969-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute physical activity often induces an acute reduction in pain sensitivity known as exercise induced hypoalgesia (EIH). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a high intensity functional training (HIFT) on EIH compared to a control session. METHODS 50 (age: 26.0 ± 2.7; 23 female) participants successfully conducted this study consisting of a pre-experimental test as well as a 12-minute HIFT (body-weight exercises) and a 12-minute control (supervised breathing) session in a randomized crossover design. Pre and post, pressure pain thresholds (PPT) were measured at the ankles, knees, elbows, and forehead. RESULTS The HIFT resulted in a relative maximum and average heart rate of 96.2% (± 3.6%) and 91.1% (± 4.2%), respectively, and maximum and average RPE values of 19.1 (± 1.2) and 16.2 (± 1.4), respectively. Results reveal a significant 'Intervention' × 'Time point' interaction (p < 0.001) for PPT (pooled for one average value) with hypoalgesia observed following the HIFT (p < 0.001; pre: 56.0 ± 16.8, post: 61.6 ± 19.0 [Newton]) and no change following the control (p = 0.067; pre: 56.6 ± 18.4, post: 55.3 ± 18.9 [Newton]). Further, a significant 'Time' × 'Intervention' × 'Landmark' interaction effect (p = 0.024) is observed and all landmarks showed significant hypoalgesia following HIFT (p < 0.01), except for the right elbow and forehead. Following control, no hypoalgesia was observed at any landmark. Analysing male and female participants separately, it was observed that EIH occured only in men. CONCLUSION A HIFT using bodyweight exercises reduces pain sensitivity. Hence, combining strength and aerobically demanding exercises in a short but high intensity manner, as done in HIFT, can be seen as a usable tool to induce hypoalgesia. Yet, these results were observed only in male participants, necessitating future sex-specific research. TRIAL REGISTRATION DRKS00034391, retrospectively registered on the 4th of June 2024.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Tomschi
- Department of Sports Medicine, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany.
| | - Pia Ransmann
- Department of Sports Medicine, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Alexander Schmidt
- Department of Sports Medicine, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Thomas Hilberg
- Department of Sports Medicine, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
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Guadagnoli L, Hoffert Y, Den Hond S, Dreesen E, van Ryckeghem D, Van Damme S, Zaman J, Van Oudenhove L. Do we perceive sensations inside and outside of our body differently? Perceptual, emotional, and behavioral differences between visceral and somatic sensation, discomfort, and pain. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2024; 36:e14787. [PMID: 38523349 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.14787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Experimental research evaluating differences between the visceral and somatic stimulation is limited to pain and typically uses different induction methods for visceral and somatic stimulation (e.g., rectal balloon distention vs. tactile hand stimulation). Our study aimed to compare differences in response time, intensity, unpleasantness, and threat between identical electrical visceral and somatic stimulations at both painful and non-painful perceptual thresholds. METHODS Electrical stimulation was applied to the wrist and distal esophagus in 20 healthy participants. A double pseudorandom staircase determined perceptual thresholds of Sensation, Discomfort, and Pain for the somatic and visceral stimulations, separately. Stimulus reaction time (ms, via button press), and intensity, unpleasantness, and threat ratings were recorded after each stimulus. General linear mixed models compared differences in the four outcomes by stimulation type, threshold, and the stimulation type-by-threshold interaction. Sigmoidal maximum effect models evaluated differences in outcomes across all delivered stimulation intensities. KEY RESULTS Overall, visceral stimulations were perceived as more intense, threatening, and unpleasant compared to somatic stimulations, but participants responded faster to somatic stimulations. There was no significant interaction effect, but planned contrasts demonstrated differences at individual thresholds. Across all delivered intensities, higher intensity stimulations were needed to reach the half-maximum effect of self-reported intensity, unpleasantness, and threat ratings in the visceral domain. CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES Differences exist between modalities for both non-painful and painful sensations. These findings may have implications for translating paradigms and behavioral treatments from the somatic domain to the visceral domain, though future research in larger clinical samples is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia Guadagnoli
- Laboratory for Brain-Gut Axis Studies (LaBGAS), Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism (CHROMETA), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yannick Hoffert
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sofie Den Hond
- Laboratory for Brain-Gut Axis Studies (LaBGAS), Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism (CHROMETA), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Erwin Dreesen
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dimitri van Ryckeghem
- Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Experimental-Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Stefaan Van Damme
- Department of Experimental-Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jonas Zaman
- Centre for the Psychology of Learning and Experimental Psychopathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- School of Social Sciences, University of Hasselt, Hasselt, Belgium
- Department of Neurology, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Lukas Van Oudenhove
- Laboratory for Brain-Gut Axis Studies (LaBGAS), Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism (CHROMETA), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Lab, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
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Tomschi F, Herzig S, Hilberg T. Rowing and pain: does rowing lead to exercise-induced hypoalgesia? Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2024; 49:626-634. [PMID: 38181400 DOI: 10.1139/apnm-2023-0346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Physical activity acutely alters pain processing known as exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH). This randomized controlled crossover study investigated the effects of two different rowing exercises on EIH and to explore whether possible EIH effects are related to individual rowing specific performance. Fifty male experienced rowers conducted two rowing sessions (submaximal: 30 min of moderate rowing (70% of maximum heart rate); maximal: 350 m in an all-out fashion) and a control session. Pre and post exercise pain sensitivity was measured bilaterally using pressure pain thresholds (PPT; Newton (N)) at the elbow, knee, ankle, sternum, and forehead. Individual performance was determined as maximum watt/kg and was tested for correlations with changes in PPT. Higher PPT values were observed after maximal exercise at all landmarks with a mean change ranging from 2.5 ± 7.8 N (right elbow; p = 0.027; dz = 0.323) to 10.0 ± 12.2 N (left knee; p ≤ 0.001; dz = 0.818). The submaximal (range from -1.6 ± 8.8 N (Sternum; p = 0.205; dz = 0.182) to 2.0 ± 10.3 N (right ankle; p = 0.176; dz = 0.194)) and control session (range from -0.5 ± 7.6 N (left elbow; p = 0.627; dz = 0.069) to 2.6 ± 9.1 N (right ankle; p = 0.054; dz = 0.279)) did not induce changes. Relative performance levels were not correlated to EIH (range from: r = -0.129 (p = 0.373) at sternum to r = 0.176 (p = 0.221) at left knee). EIH occurred globally after a short maximal rowing exercise while no effects occurred after rowing for 30 min at submaximal intensity. EIH cannot be explained by rowing specific performance levels in experienced rowers. However, the sample may lack sufficient heterogeneity in performance levels to draw final conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Tomschi
- Department of Sports Medicine, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Steffen Herzig
- Department of Sports Medicine, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Thomas Hilberg
- Department of Sports Medicine, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
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Tomschi F, Schmidt A, Soffner M, Hilberg T. Hypoalgesia after aerobic exercise in healthy subjects: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Sports Sci 2024; 42:574-588. [PMID: 38726662 DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2024.2352682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Exercise-Induced Hypoalgesia (EIH) refers to an acute reduced pain perception after exercise. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the effect of a single aerobic exercise session on local and remote EIH in healthy individuals, examining the role of exercise duration, intensity, and modality. Pressure pain thresholds (PPT) are used as the main measure, applying the Cochrane risk of bias tool and GRADE approach for certainty of evidence assessment. Mean differences (MD; Newton/cm²) for EIH effects were analysed. Thirteen studies with 23 exercises and 14 control interventions are included (498 participants). Most studies used bicycling, with only two including running/walking and one including rowing. EIH occurred both locally (MD = 3.1) and remotely (MD = 1.8), with high-intensity exercise having the largest effect (local: MD = 7.5; remote: MD = 3.0) followed by moderate intensity (local: MD = 3.1; remote: MD = 3.0). Low-intensity exercise had minimal impact. Neither long nor short exercise duration induced EIH. Bicycling was found to be effective in eliciting EIH, in contrast to the limited research observed in other modalities. The overall evidence quality was moderate with many studies showing unclear risk biases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Tomschi
- Department of Sports Medicine, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Alexander Schmidt
- Department of Sports Medicine, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Markus Soffner
- Department of Sports Medicine, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Thomas Hilberg
- Department of Sports Medicine, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
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Poli-Neto OB, Oliveira AMZ, Salata MC, Cesar Rosa-E-Silva J, Machado DRL, Candido-Dos-Reis FJ, Nogueira AA. Strength Exercise Has Different Effects on Pressure Pain Thresholds in Women with Endometriosis-Related Symptoms and Healthy Controls: A Quasi-experimental Study. PAIN MEDICINE 2021; 21:2280-2287. [PMID: 31800061 DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnz310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the influence of strength exercises on remote pain sensitivity in women with endometriosis-related symptoms. DESIGN A quasi-experimental study. SETTING University Hospital, a tertiary health unit. SUBJECTS Twenty-one women with endometriosis-related symptoms and 21 healthy women provided written informed consent. METHODS The participants performed weekly exercise sessions on an extensor chair for four consecutive weeks. An electronic algometer was used to measure the pressure pain thresholds on the nondominant forearm. Heart rate and blood pressure were measured using a digital device. All measurements were taken before, immediately after, and 10 and 20 minutes after the exercise series. RESULTS Women with endometriosis-related symptoms had lower pain thresholds. Pressure pain thresholds increased immediately after exercise in healthy women, returning to baseline level 20 minutes after exercise. Women with endometriosis-related symptoms did not present significant pressure pain threshold alterations after exercise. However, they had a higher heart rate and systolic, diastolic, and average blood pressure than healthy women at all the timepoints. There were no consistent correlations between pressure pain thresholds and heart rate or blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS The strength exercise regimen used in this study increased pain thresholds in healthy women but not in women with endometriosis-related painful symptoms. The maintenance or even worsening of pain perception after exercise in women with persistent pain, such as those with endometriosis, may limit their adherence to a physical training program, which in turn could prevent them from experiencing the long-term beneficial effects of exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omero Benedicto Poli-Neto
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Arthur Marques Zecchin Oliveira
- Sport Science, School of Physical Education and Sport, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of the São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mariana Cecchi Salata
- Physiotherapy, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Julio Cesar Rosa-E-Silva
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Dalmo Roberto Lopes Machado
- Sport Science, School of Physical Education and Sport, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of the São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Francisco Jose Candido-Dos-Reis
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Antonio Alberto Nogueira
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
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Exercise-induced hypoalgesia after acute and regular exercise: experimental and clinical manifestations and possible mechanisms in individuals with and without pain. Pain Rep 2020; 5:e823. [PMID: 33062901 PMCID: PMC7523781 DOI: 10.1097/pr9.0000000000000823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
This review describes methodology used in the assessment of the manifestations of exercise-induced hypoalgesia in humans and previous findings in individuals with and without pain. Possible mechanisms and future directions are discussed. Exercise and physical activity is recommended treatment for a wide range of chronic pain conditions. In addition to several well-documented effects on physical and mental health, 8 to 12 weeks of exercise therapy can induce clinically relevant reductions in pain. However, exercise can also induce hypoalgesia after as little as 1 session, which is commonly referred to as exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH). In this review, we give a brief introduction to the methodology used in the assessment of EIH in humans followed by an overview of the findings from previous experimental studies investigating the pain response after acute and regular exercise in pain-free individuals and in individuals with different chronic pain conditions. Finally, we discuss potential mechanisms underlying the change in pain after exercise in pain-free individuals and in individuals with different chronic pain conditions, and how this may have implications for clinical exercise prescription as well as for future studies on EIH.
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Exercise-induced pain threshold modulation in healthy subjects: a systematic review and meta-analysis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 6:11-28. [PMID: 33409362 DOI: 10.21801/ppcrj.2020.63.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Background The use of exercise is a potential treatment option to modulate pain (exercise-induced hypoalgesia). The pain threshold (PT) response is a measure of pain sensitivity that may be a useful marker to assess the effect of physical exercise on pain modulation. Aim The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the PT response to exercise in healthy subjects. Methods We searched in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Lilacs, and Scopus using a search strategy with the following search terms: "exercise" OR "physical activity" AND "Pain Threshold" from inception to December 2nd, 2019. As criteria for inclusion of appropriate studies: randomized controlled trials or quasi-experimental studies that enrolled healthy subjects; performed an exercise intervention; assessed PT. Hedge's effect sizes of PT response and their 95% confidence intervals were calculated, and random-effects meta-analyses were performed. Results For the final analysis, thirty-six studies were included (n=1326). From this we found a significant and homogenous increase in PT in healthy subjects (ES=0.19, 95% CI= 0.11 to 0.27, I2=7.5%). According to subgroup analysis the effect was higher in studies: with women (ES=0.36); performing strength exercise (ES=0.34), and with moderate intensity (ES=0.27), and no differences by age were found. Confirmed by the meta-regression analysis. Conclusion This meta-analysis provides evidence of small to moderate effects of exercise on PT in healthy subjects, being even higher for moderate strength exercise and in women. These results support the idea of modulation of the endogenous pain system due to exercise and highlight the need of clinical translation to chronic pain population.
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Pain inhibition is not affected by exercise-induced pain. Pain Rep 2020; 5:e817. [PMID: 32440610 PMCID: PMC7209813 DOI: 10.1097/pr9.0000000000000817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Offset analgesia (OA) and conditioned pain modulation (CPM) are frequently used paradigms to assess the descending pain modulation system. Recently, it was shown that both paradigms are reduced in chronic pain, but the influence of acute pain has not yet been adequately examined. Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate OA and CPM after exercise-induced pain to evaluate whether these tests can be influenced by delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) at a local or remote body site. Methods: Forty-two healthy adults were invited to 3 separate examination days: a baseline appointment, the consecutive day, and 7 days later. Participants were randomly divided into a rest (n = 21) and an exercise group (n = 21). The latter performed a single intensive exercise for the lower back. Before, immediately after, and on the following examination days, OA and CPM were measured at the forearm and the lower back by blinded assessor. Results: The exercise provoked a moderate pain perception and a mild delayed-onset muscle soreness on the following day. Repeated-measurements analysis of variance showed no statistically significant main effect for either OA or CPM at the forearm or lower back (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Delayed-onset muscle soreness was shown to have no effect on the inhibitory pain modulation system neither locally (at the painful body part), nor remotely. Thus, OA and CPM are robust test paradigms that probably require more intense, different, or prolonged pain to be modulated.
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