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- Title
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation reduces exercise-induced perceived pain and improves endurance exercise performance.
- Authors
Astokorki, Ali; Mauger, Alexis; Astokorki, Ali H Y; Mauger, Alexis R
- Abstract
<bold>Purpose: </bold>Muscle pain is a natural consequence of intense and prolonged exercise and has been suggested to be a limiter of performance. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and interferential current (IFC) have been shown to reduce both chronic and acute pain in a variety of conditions. This study sought to ascertain whether TENS and IFC could reduce exercise-induced pain (EIP) and whether this would affect exercise performance. It was hypothesised that TENS and IFC would reduce EIP and result in an improved exercise performance.<bold>Methods: </bold>In two parts, 18 (Part I) and 22 (Part II) healthy male and female participants completed an isometric contraction of the dominant bicep until exhaustion (Part I) and a 16.1 km cycling time trial as quickly as they could (Part II) whilst receiving TENS, IFC, and a SHAM placebo in a repeated measures, randomised cross-over, and placebo-controlled design. Perceived EIP was recorded in both tasks using a validated subjective scale.<bold>Results: </bold>In Part I, TENS significantly reduced perceived EIP (mean reduction of 12%) during the isometric contraction (P = 0.006) and significantly improved participants' time to exhaustion by a mean of 38% (P = 0.02). In Part II, TENS significantly improved (P = 0.003) participants' time trial completion time (~2% improvement) through an increased mean power output.<bold>Conclusion: </bold>These findings demonstrate that TENS can attenuate perceived EIP in a healthy population and that doing so significantly improves endurance performance in both submaximal isometric single limb exercise and whole-body dynamic exercise.
- Subjects
TRANSCUTANEOUS electrical nerve stimulation; EXERCISE physiology; PAIN perception; FATIGUE (Physiology); GATE control theory
- Publication
European Journal of Applied Physiology, 2017, Vol 117, Issue 3, p483
- ISSN
1439-6319
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.1007/s00421-016-3532-6