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purpose of this study was to investigate muscle pain intensity rating
using a 10-point category-ratio pain intensity scale during self-paced
cycling exercise within three trials. Eleven subjects (age 21.4 ±
2.6 years; VO2 peak 3.3 ± 0.9 L·min-1)
performed a 60-min cycling trial on three occasions. During each trial
subjects cycled at the utmost work intensity for 60-min. To simulate
competitive training, 1-min maximal effort sprints were performed
every 10-mins into the trial. Ambient temperature and relative humidity
were set at 33 ± 0.7 oC and 63 ± 2.0%, respectively.
During exercise, subjects ranked the muscle pain intensity at 5 min
intervals and following each sprint effort. Simple main effects revealed
that muscle pain intensity ratings were significantly lower in trial
3 compared with trial 1 at the 50 min [F = 4.5(2 30); p = 0.015, eta2
= 0.05], 55 min [F = 4.89(2, 30); p = 0.011; eta2 = 0.05],
and 60 min [F = 3.6(2, 30); p = 0.034; eta2 = 0.04] time
interval. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant increase
in the mean distance cycled amongst the trials (p < 0001). These
results indicate an attenuation in muscle pain intensity rating with
endurance exercise training when performed over three trials. The
reduced pain intensity rating may be due to adjustments in cadence
and gear selection amongst the trials.
KEY
WORDS: Pain, intensity, training, rating, cycling.
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