Low intensity pain reported during elicitation of the H-reflex: no effects of trait anxiety and high intensity cycling exercise

Brain Res. 2002 Sep 27;951(1):53-8. doi: 10.1016/s0006-8993(02)03134-7.

Abstract

The aims of the experiment were to describe the intensity of pain perceptions experienced in response to elicitation of the H-reflex and examine the roles of trait anxiety and high intensity cycling exercise on those pain responses. Males (n=24) with high (n=12) or low (n=12) trait anxiety provided ratings of pain intensity in response to elicitation of the H-reflex before and after: resting for 20 min, cycling for 20 min at a high intensity (75% of peak oxygen consumption), or cycling for 20 min at a low intensity (40% of peak oxygen consumption). The results indicated that (i). low intensity pain was experienced during the elicitation of the H-reflex; (ii). high trait anxious males did not report more pain during the elicitation of the H-reflex, and (iii). there was no effect of high intensity cycling exercise on reducing post-exercise pain intensity associated with H-reflex elicitation. It is concluded that elicitation of the H-reflex reliably results in a low intensity pain.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Afferent Pathways / physiology
  • Anxiety / physiopathology
  • Anxiety / psychology*
  • Axons / physiology
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Exercise / physiology
  • Exercise / psychology*
  • Exercise Test
  • H-Reflex / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Muscle, Skeletal / innervation
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology
  • Nociceptors / physiology
  • Pain / physiopathology
  • Pain / psychology*
  • Pain Measurement
  • Pain Threshold / physiology*
  • Spinal Nerve Roots / physiology