Pain sensation is uncoupled from perceived exertion during an ultra-marathon.
J.W. AGNEW, B. MARTIN, A.S.A SALIMI AND S.B. HAMMER. Indian River State College, 3209 Virginia Ave., Ft. Pierce, FL 34981.
The purpose of this study was to investigate subjective measures of pain, perceived exertion, and mood during an ultra-marathon competition. Eleven healthy ultra-marathoners, male and female, volunteered as subjects during an ultra-marathon. Subjects agreed to carry a cell-phone in order to gather subjective pain, exertion and mood data. Pain was assessed on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) with 0 = no pain and 10 = the worse imaginable pain. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were assessed on the Borg 10 point RPE scale: 0 = no exertion and 10 = extreme exertion. Mood was assessed using the Felt Scale(FS): +5 = best mood imaginable; 0 = neutral mood and -5 = the worst of moods. Data was gathered with cell-phone calls at 10 miles, 20 miles and between 20 and 30 miles, with many of the subjects stopping at 25 miles. There was no significant difference noted in RPE with mid-range exertion of 4.2 at 10 miles; 3.9 at 20 miles and 5.1 between 20 and 30 miles (P>0.05). Pain on the VAS, however, was significantly elevated at each section (P<0.05). The mean VAS score was 0.5 at 10 miles; 2.6 at 20 miles and 4.5 between 20 to 30 miles. Mood was not changed during the first part of the race with 4.8 at 10 miles and 4.6 at 20 miles. It was significantly lower, however, between the 10-mile period and the 20 to 30 mile period, dropping to 2.5 (P<0.05) Pain has been uncoupled from the sensory input sensed as effort during the first 30 miles of an ultra-marathon. Mood was seen to deteriorate during the latter stage of this distance. These data suggest that the specific sensations of pain are distinct and uncoupled from the interoceptive input of effort or perceived exertion. Furthermore the elevation of pain and depression of mood are likely factors in the decision to stop exercise – not the perception of exertion.
J.W. AGNEW, B. MARTIN, A.S.A SALIMI AND S.B. HAMMER. Indian River State College, 3209 Virginia Ave., Ft. Pierce, FL 34981.
The purpose of this study was to investigate subjective measures of pain, perceived exertion, and mood during an ultra-marathon competition. Eleven healthy ultra-marathoners, male and female, volunteered as subjects during an ultra-marathon. Subjects agreed to carry a cell-phone in order to gather subjective pain, exertion and mood data. Pain was assessed on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) with 0 = no pain and 10 = the worse imaginable pain. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were assessed on the Borg 10 point RPE scale: 0 = no exertion and 10 = extreme exertion. Mood was assessed using the Felt Scale(FS): +5 = best mood imaginable; 0 = neutral mood and -5 = the worst of moods. Data was gathered with cell-phone calls at 10 miles, 20 miles and between 20 and 30 miles, with many of the subjects stopping at 25 miles. There was no significant difference noted in RPE with mid-range exertion of 4.2 at 10 miles; 3.9 at 20 miles and 5.1 between 20 and 30 miles (P>0.05). Pain on the VAS, however, was significantly elevated at each section (P<0.05). The mean VAS score was 0.5 at 10 miles; 2.6 at 20 miles and 4.5 between 20 to 30 miles. Mood was not changed during the first part of the race with 4.8 at 10 miles and 4.6 at 20 miles. It was significantly lower, however, between the 10-mile period and the 20 to 30 mile period, dropping to 2.5 (P<0.05) Pain has been uncoupled from the sensory input sensed as effort during the first 30 miles of an ultra-marathon. Mood was seen to deteriorate during the latter stage of this distance. These data suggest that the specific sensations of pain are distinct and uncoupled from the interoceptive input of effort or perceived exertion. Furthermore the elevation of pain and depression of mood are likely factors in the decision to stop exercise – not the perception of exertion.
Cardiovascular Responses During a 32 Hour Ultra-Marathon
R. Staton, Y. Joseph, S.B Hammer, J.W. Agnew. Indian River State College, Department of Biological Sciences, 3209 Virginia Ave. Ft. Pierce, FL 34981.
Characterization of cardiovascular measurements experienced during an ultra-marathon.
Basic vital signs (temp and blood pressure) and 12 EKG’s were measured on volunteer subjects from the Wild Sebastian 100 Ultra-marathon (n=14). Measurements were taken prior to the race and upon completion of the race.
Body temperature was significantly lower at 25 miles (p=0.034) but not at 50 miles. Significant decrease in Standing systolic pressure was found when comparing pre-race with 25 and 50 mile distances (p=0.014, p=0.013) respectively. Standing diastolic pressure was significantly decreased between pre-race compared to 25 mile and 50 mile distances (p=0.009, p=0.014) respectively. Pre-race heart rate data showed an interesting trend - runners who completed the longer distances had a lower resting HR (71, 62.5, 58, 52 BPM) for the 25, 50, 75 and 100 mile distances completed, respectively. P-wave amplitude also showed an interesting trend in the inferior leads (II, aVF, III) compared between 25, 50, 75 and 100 miles, Lead II (229, 167, 136, 39 mv), Lead aVF (209, 131, 97, -34 mv), Lead III (190, 102, 63, -73 mv), respectively.
The stress of a 100 mile ultra-marathon has various levels. We found significantly lower temp and blood pressures after the 25 mile distance, likely due to redistribution of blood flow from the core to the extremities. There was no indication of orthostatic hypotension, indicating that the runners were remaining adequately hydrated. Another interesting trend showed when we compared groups of runners by the distance that they completed. The runners who completed the longest distances had the lowest resting heart rates.
Other factors examined were EKG changes. We found a trend in which the p-wave amplitude decreased with the longer completed distances. This finding could be indicative of electrolyte imbalances such as hyperkalemia or hypercalcemia. Due to our low sample size, many of our findings are just trends; however, these results are intriguing enough to warrant further research in these areas.
R. Staton, Y. Joseph, S.B Hammer, J.W. Agnew. Indian River State College, Department of Biological Sciences, 3209 Virginia Ave. Ft. Pierce, FL 34981.
Characterization of cardiovascular measurements experienced during an ultra-marathon.
Basic vital signs (temp and blood pressure) and 12 EKG’s were measured on volunteer subjects from the Wild Sebastian 100 Ultra-marathon (n=14). Measurements were taken prior to the race and upon completion of the race.
Body temperature was significantly lower at 25 miles (p=0.034) but not at 50 miles. Significant decrease in Standing systolic pressure was found when comparing pre-race with 25 and 50 mile distances (p=0.014, p=0.013) respectively. Standing diastolic pressure was significantly decreased between pre-race compared to 25 mile and 50 mile distances (p=0.009, p=0.014) respectively. Pre-race heart rate data showed an interesting trend - runners who completed the longer distances had a lower resting HR (71, 62.5, 58, 52 BPM) for the 25, 50, 75 and 100 mile distances completed, respectively. P-wave amplitude also showed an interesting trend in the inferior leads (II, aVF, III) compared between 25, 50, 75 and 100 miles, Lead II (229, 167, 136, 39 mv), Lead aVF (209, 131, 97, -34 mv), Lead III (190, 102, 63, -73 mv), respectively.
The stress of a 100 mile ultra-marathon has various levels. We found significantly lower temp and blood pressures after the 25 mile distance, likely due to redistribution of blood flow from the core to the extremities. There was no indication of orthostatic hypotension, indicating that the runners were remaining adequately hydrated. Another interesting trend showed when we compared groups of runners by the distance that they completed. The runners who completed the longest distances had the lowest resting heart rates.
Other factors examined were EKG changes. We found a trend in which the p-wave amplitude decreased with the longer completed distances. This finding could be indicative of electrolyte imbalances such as hyperkalemia or hypercalcemia. Due to our low sample size, many of our findings are just trends; however, these results are intriguing enough to warrant further research in these areas.