Controlled study of induced central sensitization in highly trained female rugby athletes

Details

Supervisors

Mouraux, André ; Lenoir, Cédric ; van den Broeke, Emanuel

Faculty

Faculté des sciences de la motricité

Degree label

Master [60] en kinésithérapie et réadaptation

Abstract

Most of the studies conducted on athletes reported a greater pain tolerance, decreased pain perception, and an enhanced conditioned pain modulation. In the literature, investigation on central sensitization seems to be missing in athletes. As central sensitization is thought to play a key role in persistent pain it appears relevant to directly assess central sensitization in high-level female rugby athletes. This study aims to investigate if secondary hyperalgesia (SH) can be similarly induced in high-level female rugby athletes as compared to normo-active controls. For this study, 24 healthy female rugby subjects were recruited and allocated in 2 groups: 12 athletes and 12 amateur players. High-frequency electrical stimulation (HFS) was applied on their volar forearm to induce SH. Mechanical pinprick sensitivity was measured before HFS (T0), 25 minutes (T1), 30 minutes (T2) and 35 minutes after HFS (T3) on both arms. At the post-HFS time points (T1, T2, T3), the area of SH was measured along two axes. The spread of SH was significantly smaller in the athlete group (P = 0.02). No significant difference was observed in the perceived intensity of mechanical pinprick sensitivity before and after HFS between the 2 groups. In conclusion, SH is developing differently in highly trained female rugby athletes reflected by a smaller area compared to normo-active controls.