Endurance Performance is Influenced by Perceptions of Pain and Temperature: Theory, Applications and Safety Consideratio
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REVIEW ARTICLE
Endurance Performance is Influenced by Perceptions of Pain and Temperature: Theory, Applications and Safety Considerations Christopher John Stevens1 • Alexis R. Mauger2 • Peter Hassme`n1 Lee Taylor3,4
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Ó Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2017
Abstract Models of endurance performance now recognise input from the brain, including an athlete’s ability to cope with various non-pleasurable perceptions during exercise, such as pain and temperature. Exercise training can reduce perceptions of both pain and temperature over time, partly explaining why athletes generally have a higher pain tolerance, despite a similar pain threshold, compared with active controls. Several strategies with varying efficacy may ameliorate the perceptions of pain (e.g. acetaminophen, transcranial direct current stimulation and transcutaneous electrical stimulation) and temperature (e.g. menthol beverages, topical menthol products and other cooling strategies, especially those targeting the head) during exercise to improve athletic performance. This review describes both the theory and practical applications of these interventions in the endurance sport setting, as well as the potentially harmful health consequences of their use. Christopher John Stevens and Lee Taylor have contributed equally to this manuscript. & Christopher John Stevens [email protected]
Key Points Athletes generally have a higher pain tolerance, despite a similar pain threshold, compared with active controls. Acetaminophen ingestion and transcutaneous electrical stimulation have been demonstrated to significantly decrease pain and improve endurance performance/capacity, but no data exist in elite populations. Endurance performance can be influenced by thermal perceptions independently of any changes in physical body temperature. Cooling strategies that induce large perceptual cooling effects and have practical application in endurance competition are ergogenic for athletes competing in the heat. Practitioners and athletes should deliberate on the ethical and safety considerations of strategies that override homeostatic controls before implementing them in competition.
& Lee Taylor [email protected] 1
School of Health and Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Hogbin Dr, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450, Australia
2
Endurance Research Group, School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Kent, Chatham Maritime, Kent, UK
3
ASPETAR, Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Athlete Health and Performance Research Centre, Aspire Zone, P.O. BOX 29222, Doha, Qatar
4
School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
1 Introduction The mechanisms underpinning endurance capacity and performance have largely been defined in the exercise sciences with physiological concepts: a high maximal oxygen uptake, lactate threshold and exercise economy [1]. Recently, models of endurance performance have attributed
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