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Exercise‐induced pain within endurance exercise settings: Definitions, measurement, mechanisms and potential interventions

O'Malley, Callum A., Smith, Samuel A, Mauger, Alexis R., Norbury, Ryan (2024) Exercise‐induced pain within endurance exercise settings: Definitions, measurement, mechanisms and potential interventions. Experimental Physiology, 109 (9). pp. 1446-1460. ISSN 0958-0670. E-ISSN 1469-445X. (doi:10.1113/ep091687) (KAR id:106536)

Abstract

Pain can be defined as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with or resembling that associated with actual or potential tissue damage. Though consistent with this definition, different types of pain result in different behavioural and psychophysiological responses. For example, the transient, non‐threatening, acute muscle pain element of exercise‐induced pain (EIP) is entirely different from other pain types like delayed onset muscle soreness, muscular injury or chronic pain. However, studies often conflate the definitions or assume parity between distinct pain types. Consequently, the mechanisms through which pain might impact exercise behaviour across different pain subcategories may be incorrectly assumed, which could lead to interventions or recommendations that are inappropriate. Therefore, this review aims to distinguish EIP from other subcategories of pain according to their aetiologies and characteristics, thereby providing an updated conceptual and operational definition of EIP. Secondly, the review will discuss the experimental pain models currently used across several research domains and their relevance to EIP with a focus on the neuro‐psychophysiological mechanisms of EIP and its effect on exercise behaviour and performance. Finally, the review will examine potential interventions to cope with the impact of EIP and support wider exercise benefits. Highlights: What is the topic of this review? Considerations for future research focusing on exercise‐induced pain within endurance exercise settings. What advances does it highlight? An updated appraisal and guide of research concerning exercise‐induced pain and its impact on endurance task behaviour, particularly with reference to the aetiology, measurement, and manipulation of exercise‐induced pain.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1113/ep091687
Uncontrolled keywords: definitions, nociception, aetiology, interventions, pain, mechanisms
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation
G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation. Leisure > Sports sciences
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Sport and Exercise Sciences
Funders: University of Exeter (https://ror.org/03yghzc09)
SWORD Depositor: JISC Publications Router
Depositing User: JISC Publications Router
Date Deposited: 12 Jul 2024 13:25 UTC
Last Modified: 03 Oct 2024 13:52 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/106536 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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