• Henrik Bjarke Vaegter, Louise Kathrine Bjerregaard, Mia-Maja Redin, Sara Hartung Rasmussen, and Thomas Graven-Nielsen.
• Pain Research Group, Pain Center, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark. henrik.bjarke.vaegter@rsyd.dk.
• Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. 2019 Jan 1; 119 (1): 91-102.

PurposeExercise 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.MethodsThirty-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).ResultsBicycling 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).ConclusionsIn 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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