Uncovering the Sweet Spot: The Interplay Between Aerobic Exercise Intensity, Exercise-Induced Hypoalgesia, and Psychological Factors in Young Healthy Subjects

• Published in: Journal of exercise physiology online Vol. 27; no. 2; p. 63
• Main Authors: Rana, Priyanka, Robinson, Mike E, Bishop, Mark D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Duluth American Society of Exercise Physiologists 01.04.2024
• Subjects: Exercise; Florida
• ISSN: 1097-9751; 1097-9751

Rana P, Robinson ME, Bishop MD. Uncovering the Sweet Spot: The Interplay Between Aerobic Exercise Intensity, Exercise-Induced Hypoalgesia, and Psychological Factors in Young Healthy Subjects. JEPonline 2024;27(2):63-86. The purpose of this study was to identify the extent to which exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH) is induced by a specific intensity of aerobic exercise and its association with psychological factors. Twenty healthy subjects were randomly assigned to five separate training sessions. Pain sensitivity (thermal threshold, suprathreshold heat, temporal Summation, and pressure pain threshold) was assessed before and after the intervention. The ANOVA analysis revealed no significant differences in the pain sensitivity based on the various aerobic exercise intensities. Also, the ANCOVA analysis demonstrated that none of the psychological factors examined were found to be associated with the magnitude of Exercise-Induced Hypoalgesia (EIH) when used as a covariate. Aerobic exercise does not elicit a hypoalgesic effect, which is not consistent with the concept of exercise-induced hypoalgesia, regardless of the intensity of aerobic exercise. None of the psychological factors exerted any influence on the magnitude of hypoalgesia experienced after exercise. Key Words: Aerobic Exercise, Exercise-Induced Hypoalgesia (EIH), Enjoyment, Painful Musculoskeletal