The role of the menstrual cycle phase in pain perception before and after an isometric fatiguing contraction

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare exercise-induced analgesia in young women after a fatiguing isometric contraction during different phases of the menstrual cycle. Twenty female subjects performed a submaximal (25% maximal voluntary contraction) isometric contraction until task failure during both the mid-follicular and mid-luteal phases of their menstrual cycle. Pain perception (i.e., pain threshold and pain ratings) was measured before and after the isometric fatiguing contraction. Other measures included mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and anxiety levels. Time to task failure of the fatiguing contraction was similar for the two phases of the menstrual cycle. Following the performance of the isometric contraction: (1) pain thresholds increased and pain ratings decreased; (2) anxiety levels increased; and (3) mean arterial pressure and heart rate increased. These changes were not dependent on the phase of the menstrual cycle. Thus, the menstrual cycle phase does not influence the magnitude of exercise-induced analgesia.

Men Report Greater Pain Relief Following Sustained Static Contractions Than Women When Matched for Baseline Pain

“…In this study however, anxiety levels increased following the isometric contraction. Previous research on exercise-induced changes in anxiety levels varied with decreases (Koltyn et al, 2001), increases (Hoeger Bement et al, 2008;Hoeger Bement et al, 2009), and no changes (Koltyn & Arbogast, 1998) reported. Despite these mixed results, all of the previous studies reported a decrease in pain following exercise demonstrating that anxiety levels alone do not explain the changes in pain that occur with exercise.…”

“…Subjects performed a sustained isometric contraction (25% MVC) with the elbow flexor muscles of the left arm while seated in an adjustable chair (Hoeger Bement et al, 2008;Hoeger Bement et al, 2009;Hoeger Bement et al, 2011). The elbow joint was flexed to 90 • , and the hand and forearm were placed midway between pronation and supination in a modified wrist-hand-thumb orthosis (Orthomerica, Newport Beach, CA).…”

“…The subjects were verbally encouraged to sustain the force for as long as possible, and task failure was determined as the time the force declined by 10% of the target value for 3 of 5 consecutive seconds (Hoeger Bement et al, 2008;Hoeger Bement et al, 2009;Hoeger Bement et al, 2011). Experimental pain was measured within 30 s after cessation of the contraction.…”

“…Experimental pain reports (i.e., pain threshold and pain ratings) were measured using a pressure pain device (Hoeger Bement et al, 2008;Hoeger Bement et al, 2009;Hoeger Bement et al, 2011;Hoeger Bement et al, 2010). This device consisted of a 200 g mass that was applied to a second class lever at a distance from the axis to ensure a 10 N force (equivalent to a 1 kg mass) on the finger (Romus Inc., Milwaukee, WI).…”

Determining menstrual phase in human biobehavioral research: A review with recommendations.

“…Currently, there are around 500 articles published annually. This research has indicated that menstrual phase may be related to a variety of behavioral outcomes, from the perception of attention, memory, and pain (Hoeger Bement et al, 2009; Kowalczyk et al, 2010; Nielsen, Ahmed, & Cahill, 2014; Pletzer, Petasis, & Cahill, 2014) to calorie intake and drug use (Brennan et al, 2009; Carpenter, Upadhyaya, LaRowe, Saladin, & Brady, 2006; Holdstock & de Wit, 2000; Reed, Levin, & Evans, 2010; Reed, Evans, Bedi, Rubin, & Foltin, 2011; Reed, Levin, & Evans, 2008). Unfortunately, despite the rapid growth in this area, research methodology for determination of menstrual phase lacks consistency and precision.…”