Sex Differences in Exercise-Induced Hypoalgesia

NCT07427979 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: CSEULS-PI-002/2026
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH) refers to the reduction in pain sensitivity following acute exercise. Although aerobic exercise has been shown to induce hypoalgesia in healthy individuals, it remains unclear whether the magnitude of this response differs between men and women. This quasi-experimental study aims to evaluate sex differences in pressure pain thresholds following a standardized aerobic exercise protocol using a lower-limb cycle ergometer. Pressure pain thresholds will be assessed before exercise, immediately after exercise, and 30 minutes after exercise in healthy adults aged 18 to 65 years. The findings of this study may contribute to improving individualized exercise prescription strategies based on sex differences in pain modulation.

Conditions

Healthy Adult

Keywords

Exercise-Induced Hypoalgesia; Sex differences; Aerobic exercise

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Pressure Pain Threshold at Quadriceps

  Pressure pain threshold measured using a digital pressure algometer at the quadriceps muscle.

  Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 30 minutes post-exercise

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Pressure Pain Threshold at Lateral Epicondyle

  Pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 30 minutes post-exercise

Study Arms (2)

Male participants

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will perform a 30-minute aerobic exercise protocol on a lower-limb cycle ergometer at 70% heart rate reserve, including warm-up and cool-down periods.

Behavioral: Aerobic exercise using cycle ergometer

Female participants

EXPERIMENTAL

Aerobic exercise using lower-limb cycle ergometer. Participants will perform the same aerobic exercise protocol.

Behavioral: Aerobic exercise using cycle ergometer

Interventions

Aerobic exercise using cycle ergometer BEHAVIORAL

Participants will perform a 30-minute aerobic exercise protocol using a lower-limb cycle ergometer at 70% heart rate reserve. The protocol includes: * 5-minute warm-up * 20-minute exercise at target intensity * 5-minute cool-down Heart rate will be monitored continuously using a validated heart rate monitor.

Female participants; Male participants

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Healthy male and female adults
• Age between 18 and 65 years
• Able to perform moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise
• Able to understand study procedures
• Cleared for exercise participation using the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q).

You may not qualify if:

• Cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, or metabolic diseases contraindicating exercise
• Current musculoskeletal pain or injury
• Analgesic medication use within 24 hours prior to testing
• Vigorous exercise within 24 hours prior to testing
• Any contraindication to aerobic exercise

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Centro Universitario La Salle: lead
• Universidad Rey Juan Carlos: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Centro Superior de Estudios Universitarios La Salle

Madrid, Madrid, 28023, Spain

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Awali, A., Nevsimal, R., O'Melia, S., Alsouhibani, A., & Bement, M. Hoeger. (2019). (305) The Contribution of Experimental Pain to the Sex Differences in Exercise-Induced Hypoalgesia. The Journal of Pain, 20(4, Supplement), S50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2019.01.462 Belavy, Daniel L., Oosterwijck, Jessica Van, Clarkson, Matthew, Dhondt, Evy, Mundell, Niamh L., Miller, Clint T., & Owen, Patrick J. (2021). Pain sensitivity is reduced by exercise training: Evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 120, 100-108. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.NEUBIOREV.2020.11.012 Cano-Climent, Antoni, Oliver-Roig, Antonio, Cabrero-García, Julio, Vries, Jolanda de, & Richart-Martínez, Miguel. (2017). The Spanish version of the Fatigue Assessment Scale: Reliability and validity assessment in postpartum women. PeerJ, 5(9). https://doi.org/10.7717/PEERJ.3832 Castañeda, Francisco Javier Rubio, Aznar, Concepción Tomás, & Baquero, Carmen Muro. (2017). Validity, Reliability and Associated Factors of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Adapted to Elderly (IPAQ-E). Revista Espanola de Salud Publica, 91. Chesterton, Linda S., Sim, Julius, Wright, Christine C., & Foster, Nadine E. (2007). Interrater Reliability of Algometry in Measuring Pressure Pain Thresholds in Healthy Humans, Using Multiple Raters. The Clinical Journal of Pain, 23(9), 760-766. https://doi.org/10.1097/AJP.0b013e318154b6ae Day, M. L., McGuigan, M. R., Brice, G., & Foster, C. (2004). Monitoring exercise intensity during resistance training using the session RPE scale. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 18(2), 353-358. https://doi.org/10.1519/R-13113.1 Faul, Franz, Erdfelder, Edgar, Lang, Albert-Georg, & Buchner, Axel. (2007). G*Power 3: A flexible statistical power analysis program for the social, behavioral, and biomedical sciences. Behavior Research Methods, 39(2), 175-191. https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03193146 Kinser, Ann M., Sands, William A., & Stone, M

  BACKGROUND

Central Study Contacts

Álvaro Reina-Varona, MSc.

CONTACT

(+34) 91 740 19 80; alvaro.reina@lasallecampus.es

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 17, 2026
• First Posted: February 23, 2026
• Study Start: March 15, 2026
• Primary Completion: May 15, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 15, 2026
• Last Updated: March 18, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP

Locations

ES (1)