Muscle Stretching - the Potential Role of Endogenous Pain Inhibitory Modulation on Stretch Tolerance

University College of Northern Denmark34 enrolled

Overview

This study investigates the influence of a remote, painful stimulus on stretch tolerance. Half of the participants will receive a conditioning painful stimulus following static stretching while the other half will rest quietly.

The effect of stretching on joint range of motion is primarily related to changes in the tolerance to stretch, but the mechanisms underlying this change are still largely unknown. The nervous system has an inbuilt ability to modulate the perceived magnitude of afferent noxious stimuli via supraspinally mediated endogenous pain inhibition or facilitation and by engaging endogenous mechanisms pain tolerance in healthy individuals is known to increase. Thus increasing the tolerance to pain could potentially increase range of motion following stretching.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Muscle Stretching Exercises Pain Threshold

Interventions

Cold pressor testOTHER

Participants placed their non-dominant hand into cold water for 2 minutes

Eligibility

Sex: MALEMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 45 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Eligibility for participation included the absence of any pain or other conditions that might affect the somatosensory system. Exclusion Criteria: * Substance abuse, * History of neurological or mental disabilities * Lack of ability to comply with instructions * Delayed onset of muscle soreness.

Locations (1)

University College of Northern Denmark

Aalborg, Denmark

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Knee extension range of motion

Passively induced knee extension range of motion was measured usind the Biodex system 4 pro isokinetic dynomometer

Time frame: Passive knee extension range of motion was measured at baseline

Change in knee extension range of motion between baseline and post stretch.

Changes in passively induced knee extension range of motion was measured using the Biodex system 4 pro isokinetic dynomometer

Time frame: Changes in passive knee extension range of motion were measured 5 minutes after baseline measures following stretching

Changes in knee extension range of motion between post stretch and post pain.

Changes in passively induced knee extension range of motion was measured using the Biodex system 4 pro isokinetic dynomometer

Time frame: Changes in passive knee extension range of motion were measured 5 minutes after post stretch measures following intervention.

Secondary Outcomes

Surface electromyography measures of muscle activity

Muscle activity during the passive knee extension motion were measured using SEMG.

Time frame: Muscle activity during the passive knee extension motion was measured at baseline

Changes in surface electromyography measures of muscle activity between baseline and post stretch measures.

Changes in muscle activity during the passive knee extension motion were measured using SEMG.

Time frame: Changes in muscle activity during the passive knee extension motion were measured 5 minutes after baseline measures following stretching.

Changes in surface electromyography measures of muscle activity between post stretch and post pain measures.

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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