Exploring the Mechanisms of Exercise-Induced Hypoalgesia Using Somatosensory and Laser Evoked Potentials

Matthew D. Jones; Janet L. Taylor; John Booth; Benjamin K. Barry

doi:10.3389/fphys.2016.00581

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Exploring the Mechanisms of Exercise-Induced Hypoalgesia Using Somatosensory and Laser Evoked Potentials

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Exploring the Mechanisms of Exercise-Induced Hypoalgesia Using Somatosensory and Laser Evoked Potentials

Matthew D. Jones, Janet L. Taylor, John Booth and Benjamin K. Barry

Frontiers in Physiology, Vol.7, pp.1-17

2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2016.00581

PMID: 27965587

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Abstract

pain threshold

pain rating

evoked potential

exercise

healthy subjects

Exercise-induced hypoalgesia is well described, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of exercise on somatosensory evoked potentials, laser evoked potentials, pressure pain thresholds and heat pain thresholds. These were recorded before and after 3-min of isometric elbow flexion exercise at 40% of the participant's maximal voluntary force, or an equivalent period of rest. Exercise-induced hypoalgesia was confirmed in two experiments (Experiment 1-SEPs; Experiment 2-LEPs) by increased pressure pain thresholds at biceps brachii (24.3 and 20.6% increase in Experiment 1 and 2, respectively; both d > 0.84 and p < 0.001) and first dorsal interosseous (18.8 and 21.5% increase in Experiment 1 and 2, respectively; both d > 0.57 and p < 0.001). In contrast, heat pain thresholds were not significantly different after exercise (forearm: 10.8% increase, d = 0.35, p = 0.10; hand: 3.6% increase, d = 0.06, p = 0.74). Contrasting effects of exercise on the amplitude of laser evoked potentials (14.6% decrease, d = -0.42, p = 0.004) and somatosensory evoked potentials (10.9% increase, d = -0.02, p = 1) were also observed, while an equivalent period of rest showed similar habituation (laser evoked potential: 7.3% decrease, d = -0.25, p = 0.14; somatosensory evoked potential: 20.7% decrease, d = -0.32, p = 0.006). The differential response of pressure pain thresholds and heat pain thresholds to exercise is consistent with relative insensitivity of thermal nociception to the acute hypoalgesic effects of exercise. Conflicting effects of exercise on somatosensory evoked potentials and laser evoked potentials were observed. This may reflect non-nociceptive contributions to the somatosensory evoked potential, but could also indicate that peripheral nociceptors contribute to exercise-induced hypoalgesia.

Details

Title: Exploring the Mechanisms of Exercise-Induced Hypoalgesia Using Somatosensory and Laser Evoked Potentials
Authors: Matthew D. Jones (Author) - UNSW Sydney
Janet L. Taylor (Author) - UNSW Sydney
John Booth (Author) - UNSW Sydney
Benjamin K. Barry (Corresponding Author) - UNSW Sydney
Publication details: Frontiers in Physiology, Vol.7, pp.1-17
Publisher: Frontiers Research Foundation
Date published: 2016
DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2016.00581
ISSN: 1664-042X
PMID: 27965587
Copyright note: Copyright © 2016 Jones, Taylor, Booth and Barry. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Grants: MOTOR IMPAIRMENT: Basic and Applied Human Neurophysiology, 1055084, National Health and Medical Research Council (Australia, Canberra) - NHMRC
Grant note: MJ holds an Australian Postgraduate Award and JT holds a NHMRC Research Fellowship.
Organisation Unit: School of Health - Sports & Exercise Science
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991224877302621
Output Type: Journal article

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