Examination of the dose-response relationship between pain perception and blood pressure elevations induced by isometric exercise in men and women

The purpose of this study was to examine exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH) in men and women, and whether different magnitudes of BP elevations induced by isometric exercise systematically influenced pain perception. Twenty-five men and 25 women performed isometric exercise at 25% MVC for 1-min, 3-min, and 5-min while BP and pain perception were assessed. Results indicated that BP was significantly elevated (p < 0.05) by isometric exercise in a dose-response manner. Pain thresholds were found to be elevated while pain ratings were lower (p < 0.05) immediately following isometric exercise but not in a dose-response manner. It was concluded that isometric exercise produced EIH in men and women, and there was not a dose-response relationship between BP and EIH.