Effect of physical training on pain sensitivity and trapezius muscle morphology.
The objective of this study was to investigate morphological and physiological characteristics of painful muscles in women with (MYA, n= 42) and without (CON, n = 20) trapezius myalgia, and assess changes in response to a 10-week, randomized, controlled trial. MYA accomplished: (1) specific strength training (SST); (2) general fitness training (GFT); or (3) reference intervention (REF). Differences in muscle morphology could not be detected by ultrasound imaging. Significantly lower pressure pain threshold (PPT) and shoulder torque were observed for MYA, indicating pain-related lack of full activation. After 10 weeks, increased shoulder torque and PPT of the painful trapezius were observed in SST solely. The PPT of a pain-free reference muscle was increased in response to both SST and GFT, indicating a general effect of physical activity on pain perception. This study shows clinically relevant improvement in pain sensitivity and muscle strength capacity in response to SST.
National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, Copenhagen DK-2100, Denmark. pernille.pkn@gmail.com
Pernille Kofoed
PK
Nielsen
Lars L
LL
Andersen
Henrik B
HB
Olsen
Lars
L
Rosendal
Gisela
G
Sjøgaard
Karen
K
Søgaard
D000328:Adult; D004576:Electromyography; D015444:Exercise; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009929:Organ Size; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014891:Weight Lifting; D016474:Weight-Bearing