Idiosyncratic Pain Patterns During Exhaustive Exercise

The purpose of this study was to investigate the dynamical distribution of pain in constant cycling and running tasks up to the point of exhaustion. Ten participants (M = 20.8 years old, SD = ± 1.03) ran and cycled at a “hard” intensity level (e.g., Borg’s RPE (6–20) = 15). During task performance, participants reported their pain on a body map every 15s. Three distinct and consistent pain distribution patterns emerged- adders who added pain locations, jumpers who switched among pain locations, and adders-jumpers who both added and switched among pain locations throughout the effort. These distribution patterns had a significant effect (p < .001) on pain stability (i.e., the time spent within the same pain location) and on total number of changes in pain locations (p < 0.04); which differed between the adders and jumpers (p < .035). Task endurance was associated with the total number of changes of pain locations (r = .46, p < .04). Finally, a significant effect of time on the number of symmetric locations χ2 (10,4) = 16.17, p < .003 emerged in running. Idiosyncratic pain distribution patterns with more switching among pain locations throughout effort seemed to increase time on task. Further scientific evidence is needed for confirming the extent to which idiosyncratic pain distribution patterns account for and/or help pain management within clinical settings.