Comparing the Effects of Upper and Lower Body Resistance Training on Pain Sensitivity

Not Applicable

Completed

Interventions: Other: Lower Body Resistance Exercise
Other: Upper Body Resistance Exercise

Brief Summary: Resistance exercise may immediately lessen the perception of pain. The purpose of this study is compare the effects of an upper body exercise to a lower body exercise on the perception of pain (pressure pain threshold).

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Exclusion Criteria

non-English speaking
regular use of prescription pain medications
current or history of chronic pain condition
currently taking blood-thinning medication
any blood clotting disorder
medical conditions known to affect sensation, such as: uncontrolled diabetes or neurological conditions
any contraindication to the application of ice, including: uncontrolled hypertension, cold urticaria, cryoglobulinemia, paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria, circulatory compromise
not physically ready to exercise without a medical exam as indicated by the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire Plus (PAR-Q+)
surgery, injury, or fracture within the past 6 months
unable to perform exercise portions of the study
unable to attend three sessions
pregnant

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Lower Body Resistance Exercise	Lower Body Resistance Exercise	Participants will perform a leg extension exercise with weight that is 75% of their estimated 1-repetition maximum (1-RM) for 3 sets of 10 repetitions.
Upper Body Resistance Exercise	Upper Body Resistance Exercise	Participants will perform a shoulder press with weight that is 75% of their estimated 1-repetition maximum (1-RM) for 3 sets of 10 repetitions.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Lower Body Resistance Exercise	Pressure pain threshold will be applied to the quadriceps immediately after each exercise.	For pressure pain threshold, an algometer was gradually increased until the sensation changed from pressure to pain. Pressure at threshold was recorded in kilopascals.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Heat Pain Threshold	Heat Pain Threshold will be applied over the quadriceps before and after the exercise.	All participants completed Heat Pain Threshold. For heat pain threshold, a thermode will gradually warm up from 32 degrees Celsius until the participant reports the sensation changes from comfortable warmth to slightly unpleasant pain. The temperature at threshold will be recorded.