Insight in perception of pain in sports – selected aspects

Abstract

Purpose: Research in recent decades has shed light on the neurophysiological mechanisms of pain, which not only has an information and warning function, but is also considered an important diagnostic factor. The results of various studies indicate that physical activity, especially at moderate intensity, modulates the intensity of perceived pain and generally leads to its reduction.The aim of this study was to characterize in depth the effects of physical activity on pain perception, in particular to deepen the knowledge of the direct and indirect effects of recurrent repetitive injuries on pain perception and modulation of the activity of the endogenous antinociceptive system.Methods: This article reviews the current state of knowledge on the effects of physical activity and injury on pain perception and the role of the endogenous analgesic system in pain modulation.Results: Both excessive physical effort and a lack of physical activity are factors that increase the risk of pain. Physical activity, especially training in athletes, exerts loads on the locomotor system structures and by means of the nociceptive system signalises potential hazards through pain. At the same time, these very same loads trigger the processes activating the endogenous analgesia systems. In the case of intense and prolonged physical activity, these systems are subject to adaptation as well as exhaustion. Conclusions: For athletes and amateur athletes, knowledge about pain has a practical dimension, enabling conscious, knowledge-based monitoring of applied loads and control of the body's condition. Gaining knowledge about pain in sports can be of great practical importance in the in the training process, during the competition but above all the prevention of injuries. The intensity and quality of pain, although these are subjective feelings, can be defined and analyzed in clinical practice and in research conducted on physically active people, using established procedures and appropriate tests.