Pain Perception Alterations Following Isometric Exercise in Women

Abstract

1514 It is currently unclear whether alterations in pain perception following isometric exercise are restricted to the exercised limb or whether a bilateral response occurs. PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to examine the influence of isometric exercise on pain sensitivity in women with a focus on whether the responses were restricted to the exercised hand. METHODS: Fourteen women (mean age = 19.5 yrs; sd = 1) completed 2 sets of submaximal (40–50% of max) isometric exercise consisting of squeezing a dynamometer for 2 min with the dominant hand. A pressure stimulus was applied to the forefinger on the dominant and non-dominant hands for 2 min before and following isometric exercise. Participants pressed a button when the stimulus became painful indicating pain thresholds (PT), and also rated the intensity of the stimulus every 15 sec using a pain rating scale (PR). RESULTS: PT data were analyzed with a 2 (hands) × 2 (trials) ANOVA, while PR data were analyzed with a 2 (hands) × 2 (trials) × 8 (time) ANOVA. Results indicated that there were significant trials effects (p<0.05) for PT and PR, but the main effect for hands was not significant (p>0.05). PT were found to be elevated while PR were reduced for both hands following isometric exercise. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that the isometric exercise performed in this study resulted in a hypoalgesic response in the bilateral, as well as, the exercised limb in women.