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Hypoalgesia after bicycling at lactate threshold is reliable between sessions

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European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Exercise decreases pain sensitivity known as exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH). However, the consistency of EIH after an acute exercise protocol based on subjective ratings of perceived exertion has been questioned. Objectives were to compare the effect on pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) after bicycling with work-rate at the lactate threshold compared with quiet rest, and investigate between-session reliability of EIH.

Methods

Thirty-four healthy subjects completed three sessions with 7 days in-between. In session 1, the lactate threshold was determined via blood samples (finger-tip pinprick, > 2 mmol/l increase from warm-up) during a graded bicycling task. In session 2 and 3, all subjects performed (1) 15 min quiet-rest, and (2) 15 min bicycling (work-rate corresponding to the lactate threshold) in the two identical sessions. PPTs at the quadriceps and trapezius muscles were assessed before and after both conditions. Reliability was assessed by intraclass correlations (ICCs).

Results

Bicycling increased quadriceps PPT compared with quiet-rest in both sessions [mean difference: 45 kPa (95% CI 19–72 kPa), P = 0.002]; however, the increase in trapezius PPT was not significant after exercise. The EIH responses demonstrated fair between-session test–retest reliability (quadriceps: ICC = 0.45; trapezius: ICC = 0.57, P < 0.05), and agreement in EIH responders and non-responders between sessions was significant (quadriceps: κ = 0.46 and trapezius: κ = 0.43, P < 0.05).

Conclusions

In conclusion, bicycling at the lactate threshold increased PPT at the exercising muscle with fair reliability of the local EIH response. The results have implications for future EIH studies in subjects with and without pain and for clinicians who design exercise programs for pain relief.

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Abbreviations

BMI:

Body mass index

CI:

Confidence interval

CPM:

Conditioned pain modulation

EIH:

Exercise-induced hypoalgesia

ICC:

Intraclass correlation coefficient

kPa:

Kilopascal

[La-]b :

Blood-lactate concentration

NRS:

Numerical rating scale

PPT:

Pressure pain threshold

RM-ANOVA:

Repeated-measures analysis of variance

RPE:

Rating of perceived exertion

RPM:

Rounds per minute

SEM:

Standard error of measurement

VO2max :

Maximum rate of oxygen consumption

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Funding

No funding was received for this study. TGN is a part of Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP) supported by the Danish National Research Foundation (DNRF121).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pain Research Group, Pain Center, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark

    Henrik Bjarke Vaegter

  2. Department of Clinical Research, Institute of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Heden 7-9, Indgang 200, 5000, Odense C, Denmark

    Henrik Bjarke Vaegter

  3. School of Physiotherapy, University College Lillebaelt, Odense, Denmark

    Louise Kathrine Bjerregaard, Mia-Maja Redin & Sara Hartung Rasmussen

  4. Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), SMI, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark

    Thomas Graven-Nielsen

Authors
  1. Henrik Bjarke Vaegter
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  2. Louise Kathrine Bjerregaard
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  3. Mia-Maja Redin
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  4. Sara Hartung Rasmussen
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  5. Thomas Graven-Nielsen
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Contributions

HBV, LKB, M-MR, SHR, and TG-N: All authors contributed to the design of the study, the analysis and interpretation of the data, as well as making intellectual contributions to its content. HBV, LKB, M-MR, and SHR collected all data in the laboratory. All authors approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Henrik Bjarke Vaegter.

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There are no actual or potential conflicts of interest for any of the authors.

Additional information

Communicated by Bénédicte Schepens.

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Vaegter, H.B., Bjerregaard, L.K., Redin, MM. et al. Hypoalgesia after bicycling at lactate threshold is reliable between sessions. Eur J Appl Physiol 119, 91–102 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-018-4002-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-018-4002-0

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