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The effect of hypertonic saline evoked muscle pain on neurophysiological changes and exercise performance in the contralateral limb

Norbury, Ryan, Smith, Samuel A., Burnley, Mark, Judge, Megan, Mauger, Alexis R. (2022) The effect of hypertonic saline evoked muscle pain on neurophysiological changes and exercise performance in the contralateral limb. Experimental Brain Research, . ISSN 0014-4819. (doi:10.1007/s00221-022-06342-6) (KAR id:93692)

Abstract

Non-local muscle pain may impair endurance performance through neurophysiological mechanisms, but these are relatively unknown. This study examined the effects of muscle pain on neuromuscular and neurophysiological responses in the contralateral limb. On separate visits, nine participants completed an isometric time to task failure (TTF) using the right knee extensors after intramuscular injection of isotonic saline (CTRL) or hypertonic saline (HYP) into the left vastus lateralis. Measures of neuromuscular fatigue were taken before, during and after the TTF using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and peripheral nerve stimulation. Mean pain intensity was greater in the left leg in HYP (3.3 ± 1.9) compared to CTRL (0.4 ± 0.7; P < 0.001) which was combined with a reduced TTF by 9.8% in HYP (4.54 ± 0.56 min) compared to CTRL (5.07 ± 0.77 min; P = 0.005). Maximum voluntary force was not different between conditions (all P > 0.05). Voluntary activation was lower in HYP compared to CTRL (P = 0.022). No difference was identified between conditions for doublet amplitude (P > 0.05). Furthermore, no difference in MEP·Mmax−1 or the TMS silent period between conditions was observed (all P > 0.05). Non-local pain impairs endurance performance of the contralateral limb. This impairment in performance is likely due to the faster attainment of the sensory tolerance limit from a greater amount of sensory feedback originating from the non-exercising, but painful, left leg.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1007/s00221-022-06342-6
Uncontrolled keywords: Muscle pain, Neuromuscular fatigue, Corticospinal excitability, Corticospinal inhibition, Sensory tolerance limit
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation. Leisure > Sports sciences
Q Science > QP Physiology (Living systems)
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Sport and Exercise Sciences
Depositing User: Lex Mauger
Date Deposited: 21 Mar 2022 16:42 UTC
Last Modified: 22 Mar 2022 11:42 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/93692 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Burnley, Mark.

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3407-561X
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Judge, Megan.

Creator's ORCID:
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Mauger, Alexis R..

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6685-5800
CReDIT Contributor Roles:
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