Intensity and duration threshold for aerobic exercise-induced analgesia to pressure pain.

Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2004 Jul;85(7):1183-7. Related Articles, Links
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Intensity and duration threshold for aerobic exercise-induced analgesia to pressure pain.

Hoffman MD, Shepanski MA, Ruble SB, Valic Z, Buckwalter JB, Clifford PS.

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Medical College of Wisconsin, WI, USA. martin.hoffman@med.va.gov

OBJECTIVE: To examine how exercise-induced analgesia is affected by the duration and intensity of aerobic exercise. DESIGN: Repeated-measures design. SETTING: Exercise science laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Convenience sample of 12 healthy male and female volunteers (mean age +/- standard deviation, 32+/-9 y). INTERVENTIONS: Pain ratings were assessed before and at 5 and 30 minutes after treadmill exercise of 10 minutes at 75% maximal oxygen uptake (Vo(2)max), 30 minutes at 50% Vo(2)max, and 30 minutes at 75% Vo(2)max (randomized order and no less than 48 h between each bout). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pain ratings were measured on a visual analog scale at 10-second intervals during a 2-minute pressure-pain stimulus to the nondominant index finger. RESULTS: Pain ratings were significantly decreased (P<.05) from pre-exercise values 5 minutes after 30 minutes of exercise at 75% Vo(2)max but returned toward baseline by 30 minutes after exercise. There were no significant changes in pain ratings after 10 minutes of exercise or after exercise at 50% Vo(2)max. CONCLUSIONS: There are thresholds for both the intensity (>50% Vo(2)max) and duration (>10 min) of exercise required to elicit exercise analgesia.

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PMID: 15241771 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

Maurice Preter, MD

About Maurice Preter MD

Maurice Preter, MD is a European and U.S. educated psychiatrist, psychotherapist, psychopharmacologist, neurologist, and medical-legal expert in private practice in Manhattan. He is also the principal of Fifth Avenue Concierge Medicine, PLLC, a medical concierge service and health advisory for select individuals and families.
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