Publication Date

5-2024

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

Whitley Stone, Danilo Tolusso

Degree Program

Department of Kinesiology, Recreation and Sport

Degree Type

Master of Science

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Resistance training (RT) is an advantageous form of physical activity for health and performance benefits; these benefits are maximized when done strenuously. However, strenuous RT can induce acute inflammatory pain which can lead to delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Common analgesics like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can block protein synthesis, so other alternatives are needed for exercise and athletic communities to maintain physiological adaptations. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychotropic cannabinoid with purported anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and analgesic properties. One of the main reasons for the use of CBD in exercise is pain alleviation; however, research in humans is limited. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate two doses of CBD on acute pain after a single bout of strenuous RT.

METHODS: Participants (n=10) completed a double-blind, crossover study for three weeks with a one-week washout between conditions. They ingested either a placebo, low dose (2mg/kg), or high dose (10mg/kg) two hours prior to the RT protocol, again eight hours later, and continued for 48 hours with two doses each day. Participants completed a strenuous RT protocol which included four sets of damage-inducing back squats. Pain was assessed with a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Pain Pressure Threshold (PPT) at baseline (before the first dosage), immediately after RT (to evaluate exercise induced hypoalgesia), then again at 24h, 48h, and 72h for each condition. Data for VAS was analyzed using 3x4 repeated measures ANOVAs for condition and time, and a 3x5 repeated measures ANOVA for PPT for condition and time.

RESULTS: There was no significant interaction between condition and time for VAS pain (F2.274, 20.464 = 0.382; p=0.713; η2=.041; N-B=.106). There was also no significant interaction between condition and time for pain thresholds for any muscles tested in the study. DISCUSSION: The two doses of CBD do not appear to attenuate pain after a strenuous back squat protocol. In the current study, CBD does not seem to affect exercise-induced hypoalgesia and pain thresholds. The implemented RT protocol does not induce EIH. Future studies should consider increasing the sample size and include blood markers or other measures to accompany VAS and PPT measurements.

Disciplines

Kinesiology | Life Sciences | Medicine and Health Sciences | Rehabilitation and Therapy | Sports Sciences

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