Journal of Pain Research (Nov 2022)
Effects of Exercise-Induced Hypoalgesia at Different Aerobic Exercise Intensities in Healthy Young Adults
Abstract
Yuto Niwa,1 Kazuhiro Shimo,2 Satoshi Ohga,2 Yuji Tokiwa,1 Takafumi Hattori,1 Takako Matsubara1,2 1Faculty of Rehabilitation, Kobe Gakuin University Graduate School, Kobe, Japan; 2Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Kobe Gakuin University, Kobe, JapanCorrespondence: Yuto Niwa, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Kobe Gakuin University Graduate School, 518 Arise, Ikawadani-cho, Nishi-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 651-2180, Japan, Tel +81-90-6587-2828, Email [email protected]: Exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH) is a reduction in pain sensitivity that occurs following a single bout of exercise. However, little research has compared the EIH effects of exercise at different intensities, including low intensity, in the same participant. It is unclear as to which exercise intensities demonstrate EIH more effectively. The aim of this study was to examine and compare the effect of different intensities of exercise on pain sensitivity in the same participant.Methods: We included 73 healthy young adult volunteers (35 female and 38 male) in this experimental cross-over study. Each participant completed four experimental sessions of 30 min, consisting of aerobic exercise at 30% heart rate reserve (HRR), aerobic exercise at 50% HRR, aerobic exercise at 70% HRR, and quiet rest. EIH was assessed using the pressure pain threshold (PPT) and temporal summation of pain (TSP) in the quadriceps, biceps, and trapezius.Results: Low- and moderate-intensity exercise increased the multisegmental PPT and reduced TSP (all P 0.05) except for relative PPT change at the quadriceps (P < 0.05).Conclusion: Our results show that not only moderate- and high-intensity exercise, but also low-intensity exercise can produce a hypoalgesic response.Keywords: exercise intensity, exercise-induced hypoalgesia, aerobic exercise, pressure pain threshold, temporal summation of pain
