Evaluation of pain in athletes – selected methods

It is generally believed that athletes experience pain in a different way than normally active individuals. Many scientists have confirmed the hypothesis that long-term physical activity can alter the perception of pain, i.e. athletes have a higher pain sensation and pain tolerance thresholds. The measurement of pain intensity is carried out using subjective methods based on verbal and non-verbal information, describing the clinical characteristics of pain. These psychological methods include the use of scales and questionnaires. Objective methods (thermal, mechanical and electrical) are used only to determine the pain sensation and pain tolerance thresholds. The specificity and prevalence of chronic pain syndromes have resulted in the increased number of studies on healthy and physically active individuals. It seems that determination of the effects of exercise on the perception of pain might help in the understanding of mechanisms of pain generation

The Influence of the Differentiation of Genes Encoding Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors and Their Coactivators on Nutrient and Energy Metabolism

Genetic components may play an important role in the regulation of nutrient and energy metabolism. In the presence of specific genetic variants, metabolic dysregulation may occur, especially in relation to the processes of digestion, assimilation, and the physiological utilization of nutrients supplied to the body, as well as the regulation of various metabolic pathways and the balance of metabolic changes, which may consequently affect the effectiveness of applied reduction diets and weight loss after training. There are many well-documented studies showing that the presence of certain polymorphic variants in some genes can be associated with specific changes in nutrient and energy metabolism, and consequently, with more or less desirable effects of applied caloric reduction and/or exercise intervention. This systematic review focused on the role of genes encoding peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) and their coactivators in nutrient and energy metabolism. The literature review prepared showed that there is a link between the presence of specific alleles described at different polymorphic points in PPAR genes and various human body characteristics that are crucial for the efficacy of nutritional and/or exercise interventions. Genetic analysis can be a valuable element that complements the work of a dietitian or trainer, allowing for the planning of a personalized diet or training that makes the best use of the innate metabolic characteristics of the person who is the subject of their interventions

The Assessment of the Occurrence of Benign Hypermobility Joint Syndrome in Physiotherapy Students

The occurrence of connective tissue disorders is an important factor for development of occupational diseases in professions requiring a non-ergonomic and often static load of the musculoskeletal system. Symptoms of the connective tissue disorders appear at different ages. The diagnosis of hypermobility is an important problem due to the lack of uniform diagnostic criteria. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the incidence of joint hypermobility and its relation with a history of injuries and the level of physical activity in Physiotherapy students. The study involved 143 students (69% female, 31% male) aged 18 to 27 years (M = 20.7; SD = 1.43). The assessment of the occurrence of Benign Hypermobility Joint Syndrome (BHJS) syndrome was performed using the Beighton and Brighton scale. Among the surveyed students almost 82% of the women and just over 18% of the men fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis of hypermobility. A significant difference was also observed in the physical activity of the students. Among those who showed no signs of hypermobility exactly half of the participants trained sports as amateurs, while in the group of people with hypermobility the proportion was lower by nearly half. BHJS was not related to injuries and operations in the study group

Analysis Code

SPSS analysis code for the manuscript "Is Physical Activity an Effective Factor for Modulating Pressure Pain Threshold and Pain Tolerance after Cardiovascular Incidents?

Physical Activity, Coping, and Pain

Materials for the manuscript "Is Physical Activity an Effective Factor for Modulating Pressure Pain Threshold and Pain Tolerance after Cardiovascular Incidents?" In this study, we aim to investigate whether regular physical activity can change pressure pain threshold, pain tolerance, and subjective pain perception among people who have experienced a cardiovascular incident

Data

Data set for the manuscript "Is Physical Activity an Effective Factor for Modulating Pressure Pain Threshold and Pain Tolerance after Cardiovascular Incidents?

The Importance of Personality Traits, Optimism and Quality of Life for Pain Threshold and Pain Tolerance in the Elderly

With increasing age, the frequency of chronic pain increases compared to acute pain. This is due to structural and functional changes caused by ageing of the nervous system. The aim of this study was to investigate relationships between personality traits, optimism, quality of life, and subjective assessment of pain measured experimentally with an algometer and clinically with the Visual Analoque Scale (VAS). In the group of 133 seniors (61-86 years; 78% women), we used an algometer to measure pain threshold and tolerance, the VAS scale to assess subjective intensity, and standardized questionnaires (EPQ-R(s), LOTR, SWLS) to measure psychological variables. Extraversion was found to promote both higher pain threshold and higher pain tolerance, whereas pain tolerance was negatively correlated with neuroticism. Higher severity of the psychotic trait was associated with more intense subjective pain experience. Optimism and overall quality of life were not associated with any pain measures. A better understanding of the personality correlates of pain perception could support a more accurate tailoring of pain management in elderly patients

Polymorphisms of catechol-O-methyltransferase ( COMT rs4680:G>A ) and μ-opioid receptor ( OPRM1 rs1799971:A >G ) in relation to pain perception in combat athletes

In athletes, pain has diverse functions and a complex etiology. Its role is not limited to indicating the limits of the body, especially in areas that are exposed to maximal forces and stresses and consequently vulnerable to damage or injury. Several common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been recently associated with inter individual differences in pain perception. Among several other markers, catechol-O-methyltransferase ( COMT rs4680:G>A ) and the μ-opioid receptor ( OPRM1 rs1799971:A >G ) were proposed as key factors for pain perception. The aim of the current study was to investigate the potential association between COMT and OPRM1 genotypes and pain perception as well as the relation with elite athlete status. The study involved 395 healthy men, aged 18 to 28 years; 214 combat sports athletes comprised the experimental group and 181 non-athletes comprised the control group. DNA was extracted from buccal cells donated by the subjects, and genotyping for COMT rs4680 and OPRM1 rs1799971 was carried out using real-time PCR. Measurement of the pain threshold and pain tolerance was performed using an algometer and the cold pressor test. The genotype distribution of COMT and OPRM1 polymorphisms did not differ between combat athletes and the control group (p=0.500 and p=0.390). Pain threshold and pain tolerance as both quantitative and qualitative measures did not differ with respect to OPRM1 and COMT polymorphism in either the combat or the control group for any of the analysed genetic models

Is Physical Activity an Effective Factor for Modulating Pressure Pain Threshold and Pain Tolerance after Cardiovascular Incidents?

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether regular physical activity can alter the pressure pain threshold, pain tolerance, and subjective pain perception in individuals who have experienced a cardiovascular event. The study involved 85 individuals aged 37 to 84 years (M = 65.36) who qualified for outpatient cardiac rehabilitation, which consisted of 24 physical training sessions. The patients were all tested twice: on the first and last day of the outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program. Assessments of the pressure pain threshold and pain tolerance were performed with an algometer. To assess the pain coping strategies, the Pain Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ) and parenting styles were measured retrospectively with subjective survey questions. The main results of the study showed that patients achieved significantly higher pressure pain thresholds after a physical training cycle (ps 0.05). A lower preference for the better pain coping strategy explanation (ß = −0.42, p = 0.013) and growing up in a family with a less neglectful atmosphere (ß = −0.35, p = 0.008) were associated with increased pressure pain threshold after physical training. The results suggest that physical activity is an important factor in modulating the pressure pain threshold