Abstract
Physical exercise has been shown to alter sensory functions, such as sensory detection or perceived pain. However, most contributing studies rely on the assessment of single thresholds, and a systematic testing of the sensory system is missing. This randomised, controlled cross-over study aims to determine the sensory phenotype of healthy young participants and to assess if sub-maximal endurance exercise can impact it. We investigated the effects of a single bout of sub-maximal running exercise (30 min at 80% heart rate reserve) compared to a resting control in 20 healthy participants.The sensory profile was assessed applying quantitative sensory testing (QST) according to the protocol of the German Research Network on Neuropathic Pain. QST comprises a broad spectrum of thermal and mechanical detection and pain thresholds. It was applied to the forehead of study participants prior and immediately after the intervention. Time between cross-over sessions was one week. Sub-maximal endurance exercise did not significantly alter thermal or mechanical sensory function (time × group analysis) in terms of detection and pain thresholds. The sensory phenotypes did not indicate any clinically meaningful deviation of sensory function. The alteration of sensory thresholds needs to be carefully interpreted, and only systematic testing allows an improved understanding of mechanism. In this context, sub-maximal endurance exercise is not followed by a change of thermal and mechanical sensory function at the forehead in healthy volunteers.
Highlights
Physical exercise has been shown to alter sensory functions, such as sensory detection or perceived pain
Physiologic research points to the activation of the endogenous o pioid[9] and cannabinoid s ystem[10] as a cardinal mechanism of exercise-induced hypoalgesia
The current literature’s main limitations are of methodologic nature, as many studies fail to adhere to current recommendations on exercise doses, or accurately report the applied exercise loads[1]. Many studies base their findings on the assessment of single sensory thresholds, thereby decoding only parts of the complex physiologic network underlying sensory p henotypes[1,7,15]
Summary
Physical exercise has been shown to alter sensory functions, such as sensory detection or perceived pain. The alteration of sensory thresholds needs to be carefully interpreted, and only systematic testing allows an improved understanding of mechanism In this context, sub-maximal endurance exercise is not followed by a change of thermal and mechanical sensory function at the forehead in healthy volunteers. A recent systematic review suggests an association between psychosocial factors and exercise-induced hypoalgesia in healthy subjects, and in patients with musculoskeletal pain[5]. This is further supported by a proposed central mechanism underlying these two phenomena, such as the increased activation of NMDA receptors in pain-modulating areas[6]. Exercise-induced hypoalgesia is widely defined as decreased sensitivity to externally induced painful s timuli[7], assessing an experimental instead of a clinical setting
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