Exercise-Induced Hypoalgesia Differences Between Upper and Lower Limbs Resistance Training Interventions

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Lower limb resistance training: Exercise intervention with leg extensions on the dominant quadriceps, doing 3 sets of 5 repetitions with the 5RM after a 5-minute warm-up with a cycle ergometer at 1 watt per kg and 60-80 revolutions per minute and 1 set of 5 repetitions with the 10RM. Previously, 72 hours before, the 5RM would have been calculated progressively approaching in sets of 5 repetitions, starting with the lower weight and stopping the test when obtaining an unsuccessful trial (the participant could not manage to lift the weight five times). The previous successful set would be established as the 5RM.

Upper limb resistance training: Exercise intervention with brachial biceps curl on the dominant brachial biceps, doing 3 sets of 5 repetitions with the 5RM after a 5-minute warm-up with a cycle ergometer at 1 watt per kg and 60-80 revolutions per minute and 1 set of 5 repetitions with the 10RM. Previously, 72 hours before, the 5RM would have been calculated progressively approaching in sets of 5 repetitions, starting with the lower weight and stopping the test when obtaining an unsuccessful trial (the participant could not manage to lift the weight five times). The previous successful set would be established as the 5RM.

Study summary

This randomized controlled trial with healthy subjects aims to compare exercise-induced hypoalgesia among three groups: one utilizing a lower limb resistance training intervention, another using an upper limb resistance training, and a control group. The exercise protocol involves 3 sets of 5 repetitions of resistance exercises (brachial biceps curl and leg extensions). Exercise-induced hypoalgesia will be assessed by measuring pressure pain thresholds in the thigh and elbow, comparing exercise interventions with the control group. Additionally, a secondary objective is to compare the lower limb and upper limb resistance training groups in terms of their effects on pressure pain thresholds in the thigh and elbow. Thus, the study anticipates observing differences in local and distal hypoalgesia based on the trained region.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Pain pressure threshold (PPT) on dominant quadriceps and dominant brachial biceps — before, immediately after intervention, and 30 minutes after intervention.
  PPT is tested on the muscle belly of the quadriceps on the dominant side, at half of the distance between the anterior-superior iliac spine and the superior pole of the patella, and on the muscle belly of the brachial biceps on the dominant side, at a point one-fourth of the distance from the elbow crease to the lateral border of the acromion. The region to be pressed is marked with a pen. The patient is instructed to report the first appearance of the sensation of "discomfort". An ascending ramp of 0.5 kg/cm/s is applied, at the rhythm of a metronome. The instrument measures 0 to 25 kg, with a higher score interpreted as a hypoalgesia response. The measurement is started on the quadriceps and alternated with the biceps until 3 measurements of each region are obtained. Each measurement in the same region is obtained after 30 seconds of rest. This protocol has demonstrated high inter-observer reliability measuring healthy subjects (ICC = 0.91).

Trial sites (1)

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