The effect of simultaneously performed cognitive task and physical exercise on pressure pain threshold and tolerance in athletes

1st International Sport Science Tourism and Recreation-Student Congress, Antalya, Türkiye, 21 - 23 Mayıs 2014, ss.154

The aim of the study was to investigate the

alterations of the pain threshold and tolerance

after single, or dual task in athletes. Twenty

male athletes and twenty non-athletic,

recreationally active college students were

participated in the study. Subjects were asked

to perform Harvard step test (single task), and

cognitive task was concurrent performance of

an arithmetic task while performing Harvard

step test. Pressure pain threshold (PPT) and

pressure pain tolerance (PPTO) were assessed

from muscle, tendon, bone and myofascial

region from the dominant thigh by using a

digital algometer. All measurements were

repeated at rest, or following single and dual

task. Results are presented as mean +

standarts deviation. Data were analyzed by

using repeated measures of ANOVA test. A

level of p<0.05 was accepted statistical

significant. Athletes had higher PPT and PPTO

measurements from muscle and myofascial

region of thigh at rest. PPT and PPTO values

were increased after single, or dual task in

sedentary subjects, while athletic subjects had

increased muscle and myofascial PPT and

PPTO values after dual task. In conclusion, our

results supports the notion that cognitive

functions may interact the pain processing at

rest, or following exercise in athletes.

Keywords: dual task, pain tolerance, cognitive

task, athletes