Post-exercise analgesia: Replication and extension

• Published in: Journal of sports sciences Vol. 14; no. 4; pp. 329 - 334
• Main Authors: Bartholomew, John B., Lewis, Brian P., Linder, Darwyn E., Cook, Dane B.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: London Taylor & Francis Group 01-08-1996; Taylor and Francis
• Subjects: Analgesia; Analysis of Variance; Bicycling - physiology; Biological and medical sciences; exercise; Exercise - physiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Male; Pain - physiopathology; Pain Measurement; pain threshold; Pain Threshold - physiology; pain tolerance; Perception; Pressure; Reproducibility of Results; Rest - physiology; Somesthesis and somesthetic pathways (proprioception, exteroception, nociception); interoception; electrolocation. Sensory receptors; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Weight Lifting - physiology; Physical exercise; Human; Analgesia; Pain; Perception threshold; Tolerable level; Athlete
• ISSN: 0264-0414; 1466-447X
• DOI: 10.1080/02640419608727718

This study was designed to investigate whether post-exercise analgesia occurs following an ad lib exercise routine. All of the 17 male participants exercised on a regular basis. In an exercise setting (student gymnasium) they participated in 20 min of self-selected exercise, while in the neutral setting (laboratory) they rested quietly for 20 min. Pain was induced via the gross pressure device. Pain threshold and pain tolerance were measured twice, with an interval of 20 min, in both the exercise and the neutral setting. Pain threshold was stable in the exercise setting. A significant increase in pain tolerance followed the 20 min bout of exercise, indicating a post-exercise analgesic response. These results support the prediction that the analgesic effect of exercise is not limited to controlled experimental conditions, but generalizes to naturally occurring situations.