The influence of physical and mental training on plasma beta‐endorphin level and pain perception after intensive physical exercise

Abstract

The intention of the study was to investigate a possible correlation between increase in circulating blood level of beta‐endorphin and decrease in pain perception after short‐term intensive physical exercise. In addition, we wanted to see if plasma beta‐endorphin level and pain perception were influenced by regular physical or mental training and if there was any difference in response between trained and untrained subjects. Twenty physically trained males were studied before and after a 6‐month intervention period while practising regular physical endurance training. Eleven of them were randomized to perform daily additional mental training (ACEM meditation). Nine untrained males served as control subjects and were investigated only at baseline. All participants were tested for maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) during treadmill exercise, and pain perception measured by an ischaemic pain test was performed just before and after VO2max. Blood samples analysed for beta‐endorphin were drawn before and after the tests. There was a substantial decrease of 47 per cent (p < 0.005) in basal plasma beta‐endorphin level after the intervention. The plasma beta‐endorphin level increased two‐fold (p < 0.01) in response to the VO2max test. The subjects experienced post‐exercise hypoalgesia (p < 0.001), but there was no correlation between the exercise‐associated opioid hyperendemia and the hypoalgesia. No difference was found between trained and untrained subjects regarding the circulating blood level of beta‐endorphin or the exercise‐induced hypoalgesia. Practising regular meditation had no influence on beta‐endorphin level or pain tolerance level. Peripheral beta‐endorphin level and pain perception are modulated by intensive physical exercise and by regular physical, but not by mental training. It could be speculated that the observed initial high basal level of beta‐endorphin is due to pre‐experimental stress and tension. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Aerobic Exercise and Cold Pressor Test Induce Hypoalgesia in Active and Inactive Men and Women

“…Although, the effect sizes indicate that the active subjects had a better EIH (small effect size) compared with inactive subjects, there was no significant difference in the EIH response in active subjects compared with inactive subjects. These findings are supported by findings from two small studies with 20 active subjects and nine inactive subjects [31] and 10 athletes and 10 nonathletes [32], respectively. Pressure pain ratings during an ischemic tourniquet test was assessed before and after maximal treadmill exercise with no difference in the EIH response between active and inactive subjects [31], and pain ratings during cold pressor test were assessed before and after a submaximal running exercise with no difference in the EIH response between athletes and nonathletes [32].…”

“…These findings are supported by findings from two small studies with 20 active subjects and nine inactive subjects [31] and 10 athletes and 10 nonathletes [32], respectively. Pressure pain ratings during an ischemic tourniquet test was assessed before and after maximal treadmill exercise with no difference in the EIH response between active and inactive subjects [31], and pain ratings during cold pressor test were assessed before and after a submaximal running exercise with no difference in the EIH response between athletes and nonathletes [32]. More EIH in inactive subjects compared with active subjects could have been anticipated due to the unfamiliar physical stress during exercise, which might activate a larger stress-induced analgesic response compared with active subjects.…”

Intensity‐dependent effects of aerobic training on pressure pain threshold in overweight men: A randomized trial

“…For acute exercise conditions, there was no consistent effect of MICT or HIIT on PPT. These findings, in combination with limited previous work in the area (Anshel and Russell, 1994;Oktedalen et al, 2001;Jones et al, 2014;O'Leary et al, 2017), show that the characterization of EIH after exercise training is still in its infancy and is poorly understood. More studies investigating the effect of HIIT and MICT on different types of pain (e.g.…”

“…the intensity of a stimulus where pain is first experienced) and with mixed effects on pain ratings (i.e. intensity/unpleasantness of the noxious stimulus) (Anshel and Russell, 1994;Oktedalen et al, 2001;Jones et al, 2014;O'Leary et al, 2017).…”

The Effect of an Exhaustive Aerobic, Anaerobic and Resistance Exercise on Serotonin, Beta-endorphin and BDNF in Students

“…Corticoliberin has been directly poured from the hypothalamus into the pituitary gland and corticotrophin and ACTH have been released by the pituitary. The beta-endorphin secretion from the anterior pituitary is associated with ACTH secretion, thereby increasing the production and secretion of β-endorphins from the pituitary [20]. Moreover, by binding to receptors, beta-endorphin keeps potassium channels open and calcium channels close, that leading to hypoglycemia, and this phenomenon provides the conditions for beta-endorphin production [21].On the other hand, the physical activity in hypoxic condition increases beta-endorphin secretion [22].…”