The effect of short high intensity intermitent training on pain tolerance and self-paced cycling performance

Introduction Pain tolerance has been identified as a potential factor attributable to an athlete’s success. Previous studies have reported that high intensity intermittent training (HIIT) can increase pain tolerance and exercise capacity. However, it is unclear if short HIIT programs are effective at increasing pain tolerance and self-paced exercise performance. Consequently, we investigated the effect of a short HIIT intervention on pain tolerance and 5 km time trial (TT) cycling performance. Methods Participants (n=18) were randomly assigned and completed either three (Ex-1; n=9) or six HIIT sessions (Ex-2; n=9). HIIT involved participants cycling at RPE=15 (6x5mins interspersed by 1mins recovery). Participant’s pain catastrophizing (PCS), anxiety (PASS-20), ischemic pain tolerance test and 5 km TT performance responses were assessed at baseline and three or six HIIT sessions Results No changes in power output, heart rate or RPE were observed across subsequent HIIT sessions. Pain tolerance and threshold remained unchanged after HIIT. Participant’s PASS responses remained unchanged after HIIT but PCS responses did decrease following HIIT (p=0.002, d=0.56) with no difference between groups. 5 km TT performance remained unchanged although HR decreased after HIIT with no difference between groups (p=0.031, d=0.27). Conclusion Self-paced HIIT was ineffective at increase pain tolerance and cycling time trial performance. This is likely due to the current protocols inefficiency to get participants to exercise to their tolerance and not eliciting the necessary metabolic demands to promote aerobic physiological adaptations respectively. Therefore, future research should consider this and design self-paced HIIT protocols that do not compromise training intensity. Furthermore, research focusing on other psychological measures (e.g. self-efficacy and pain management strategies) should also be considered when assessing the effect of any exercise training on pain tolerance to better understand why any changes in pain tolerance occur.

Grantor dc:publisher

Oxford Brookes University

Year dc:date

2018

Author dc:creator

• Hanspal, Kieran A. B. S.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Jakeman, John
• Bibbey, Adam

Statement dc:rights

• All rights reserved

Language dc:language

en

DOI dc:identifier

https://doi.org/10.24384/x7x3-jc44

OAI identifier oai:identifier

tle:087b0f7b-59cb-403c-9be5-f1b5837bb044:d6bd9758-527a-46cd-bfe2-c433766e8fca:1