Journal of Applied Physiology Journal of Neurophysiology
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

J Appl Physiol 81: 1156-1161, 1996;
8750-7587/96 $5.00
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Hamilton, A. L.
Right arrow Articles by Jones, N. L.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Hamilton, A. L.
Right arrow Articles by Jones, N. L.

Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol 81, Issue 3 1156-1161, Copyright © 1996 by American Physiological Society

ARTICLES

Quantification of intensity of sensations during muscular work by normal subjects

A. L. Hamilton, K. J. Killian, E. Summers and N. L. Jones
Department of Medicine, McMaster University Medical Centre, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Eleven subjects performed a series of 30-s work bouts on a cycle ergometer at power outputs ranging from 20-120% of the work capacity (Wcap) achieved during an incremental cycle to exhaustion and estimated the intensity of several sensations (leg effort, muscle tension, muscle discomfort, muscle pain, and breathing discomfort) by using Borg's category-ratio scale (range 0-10 units). Leg effort was perceived as "just noticeable" at 31 +/- 15% Wcap, muscle tension was just noticeable at 31 +/- 16% Wcap, muscle discomfort was just noticeable at 47 +/- 21% Wcap, breathing discomfort was just noticeable at 52 +/- 19% Wcap, and muscle pain was just noticeable at 58 +/- 33% Wcap. The intensity of all sensations increased in a positively accelerating manner with increases in power output (P < 0.001). Above 60% Wcap, the intensity of leg effort and muscle tension exceeded the intensity of muscle pain (P < 0.01), and above 100% Wcap the intensity of muscle discomfort also exceeded the intensity of muscle pain (P < 0.01). At 120% Wcap, leg effort, muscle tension, and muscle discomfort were rated between "severe" and "very severe" (6.1 +/- 2.2, 6.4 +/- 2.0, and 5.6 +/- 2.1 Borg units, respectively), whereas muscle pain and breathing discomfort were rated between "moderate" and "somewhat severe" (3.6 +/- 2.1 and 3.3 +/- 1.9 Borg units, respectively). These results suggest that subjects have a perception of muscle pain during muscular work that is distinct from perceptions of leg effort, muscle tension, and muscle discomfort.


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 NEJMHome page
N. L. Jones and K. J. Killian
Exercise Limitation in Health and Disease
N. Engl. J. Med., August 31, 2000; 343(9): 632 - 641.
[Full Text] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Visit Other APS Journals Online