Decreased pain sensitivity after exercise with blood flow restriction: 24-hours

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Authors
Bahr, Elias
Koschney, Gage
Sharma, Charvi
Advisors
Proppe, Christopher E.
Issue Date
2025
Type
Abstract
Poster
Keywords
Blood flow restriction , Exercise , Pain management , Pressure
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Citation
Bahr, E., Koschney, G., Sharma, C., & Proppe, C. E. Decreased pain sensitivity after exercise with blood flow restriction: 24-hours. -- FYRE in STEM Showcase, 2025.
Abstract

Exercise induced hypoalgesia (EIH) is the observed effect of lowered pain sensitivity following high-intensity or long-duration exercise. Blood flow restriction (BFR) is the procedure of using inflatable cuffs to partially reduce blood flow to the extremities. When BFR is combined with low-intensity exercise, it mimics the effects of high-intensity exercise; this makes it easier for populations that cannot tolerate high-intensity exercise, such as recovering patients, to relieve their pain. Recent studies have shown that the effects of BFR exercise can last up to one hour post-exercise. However, little evidence has been gathered studying the duration and magnitude of EIH due to BFR exercise across a 24-hour period. Therefore, this study aims to assess pain sensitivity in a 24-hour period following exercise to gain an understanding of the EIH response following BFR exercise. The change from pre-exercise values for pain pressure tolerance of the biceps brachii and quadriceps muscle group was calculated 4-, 8-, and 24-hours post-exercise. Within the control intervention, where patients remained seated with no exercise, the average change in quadricep pain pressure tolerance was 0.25 kg of force (Δkgf) at 4-hours, 1.14 Δkgf at 8-hours, and 1.26 Δkgf at 24-hours. The average change in biceps brachii pain pressure tolerance during the control intervention was 0.37 Δkgf at 4-hours, 0.68 Δkgf at 8-hours, and 0.52 Δkgf at 24-hours. Within the BFR intervention, where patients completed leg extensions at 30% maximal strength with the cuffs inflated to 60% maximum occlusion pressure, the average change in quadricep pain pressure tolerance was –0.07 Δkgf at 4-hours, 0.34 Δkgf at 8-hours, and 1.28 Δkgf at 24-hours. The average change in biceps brachii pain pressure tolerance during the BFR intervention was 0.12 Δkgf at 4-hours, 0.11 Δkgf at 8-hours, and 1.07 Δkgf at 24-hours. While a small sample size (n=4) means inconclusive data, more data is being collected and analyzed. With larger numbers, this study could help develop more accessible pain management in rehabilitation settings.

Table of Contents
Description
Poster and abstract presented at the FYRE in STEM Showcase, 2025.
Research project completed at the Department of Human Performance Studies.
Publisher
Wichita State University
Journal
Book Title
Series
FYRE in STEM 2025
PubMed ID
DOI
ISSN
EISSN