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

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 + standart 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.