PERCEPTION OF PAIN IN ATHLETES
Abstract
PERCEPTION OF PAIN IN ATHLETES
J. A. Hatfield, S. Simmons
Corban University, Salem, OR
The effects of pain on individuals are largely misunderstood. Pain tolerance has been proposed to be increased by exercise, but the effect on athletes versus non-athletes is unclear. PURPOSE: To determine if athletes have a higher pain tolerance than their non-athlete counterparts. Also, to determine if a single bout of resistance exercise could increase pain tolerance. METHODS: A convenience sample of college students (N= 23; athletes = 8, non-athletes = 15) was chosen to perform the cold pressor test, perform a resistance exercise routine, and then take part in the cold pressor test again. The exercise bout included 3 lifts, 3 sets of 10 repetitions at 75% 1RM. RESULTS: Non-athletes showed a statistically significant improvement in cold pressor test time, t(14) = 2.221, p = 0.43; compared to athletes who showed improvement but not statistically significant, t(7) = 1.402, p = .204. Non-athletes increased time in the ice on average by 36.42 seconds while athletes increased time on average by 27.43 seconds. CONCLUSION: The data shows that athletes on average have a higher pain tolerance than non-athletes, both in pre- and in post ice testing. Data also shows that a single bout of resistance exercise can increase pain tolerance in both non-athletes and athletes, but only the non-athletes saw a statistically significant change.
Recommended Citation
Hatfield, J.A. and Simmons, S.
(2014)
"PERCEPTION OF PAIN IN ATHLETES,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 8:
Iss.
2, Article 48.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol8/iss2/48