Local pain dynamics during constant exhaustive exercise

The purpose of this study was to delineate the topological dynamics of pain and discomfort during constant exercise performed until volitional exhaustion. Eleven physical education students were tested while cycling and running at a “hard” intensity level (e.g., corresponding to Borg’s RPE (6–20) = 15). During the tests, participants reported their discomfort and pain on a body map every 15s. “Time on task” for each participant was divided into five equal non-overlapping temporal windows within which their ratings were considered for analysis. The analyses revealed that the number of body locations with perceived pain and discomfort increased throughout the five temporal windows until reaching the mean (± SE) values of 4.2 ± 0.7 and 4.1 ± 0.6 in cycling and running, respectively. The dominant locations included the quadriceps and hamstrings during cycling and quadriceps and chest during running. In conclusion, pain seemed to spread throughout the body during constant cycling and running...本研究旨在阐明直至自主力竭的恒定运动过程中，疼痛与不适的拓扑动力学特征。招募11名体育专业学生，在骑行与跑步强度设定为“高强度”（对应博格（Borg）自觉劳累分级量表（Rating of Perceived Exertion, RPE）6-20分制下的15分）的条件下开展测试。测试期间，受试者每15秒通过身体部位分布图上报自身的不适与疼痛情况。将每位受试者的“任务时长”划分为5个均等且无重叠的时间窗口，窗口内的评分将用于后续分析。分析结果显示，在5个时间窗口中，受试者报告存在疼痛与不适的身体部位数量随运动进程逐步增加，骑行和跑步测试中该指标的均值（±标准误）分别达到4.2±0.7和4.1±0.6。疼痛高发部位包括骑行时的股四头肌与腘绳肌，以及跑步时的股四头肌与胸部。综上，恒定负荷骑行与跑步过程中，疼痛似乎会在全身扩散……