Immediate effects of isometric versus isotonic exercise on pain sensitivity and motor performance of ankle plantiflexor muscles

Main Article Content

Sebastian Eustaquio Martín Pérez
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5068-627X
Isidro Miguel Martín Pérez
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0148-6105
Patricia León Ramírez
Antonio José Rodríguez-Pastrana Trujillo
Enrique Cabrera Cabrera
Eleuterio Atanasio Sánchez Romero
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0254-6501
María Dolores Sosa Reina
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9000-8326
José Luis Alonso Pérez
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6144-3209
Jorge Hugo Villafañe
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3239-7626
Josué Fernández Carnero
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1314-624X

Abstract

This study aimed to quantify the differences on pain sensitivity and motor performance ankle plantiflexor muscles after performing an isometric versus an isotonic exercise task. A parallel experimental trial was carried out at the European University of the Canary Islands. A total of 47 healthy volunteers were recruited and randomly assigned to a group receiving an isometric exercise (n = 23) and a group receiving an isotonic exercise (n = 24). Pain threshold to pressure was measured at four specific points of the triceps surae neurosensory territory in medial gastrocnemius, lateral gastrocnemius, Tendo Achilles osteotendinous unit and aponeurosis plantar insertion. Furthermore, the two-point discriminatory threshold of the osteotendinous junction of the Achilles tendon and maximum voluntary contraction for plantar flexion were assessed before and after the intervention. There were no statistically significant intergroup differences for any of the variables PPT-MG (U Mann Whitney = 25; [1.265-0.650], p = .527), PPT-LG (U Mann Whitney = 25; [1.325-0.945]; p = .527) y PPT-TA (U Mann Whitney = 25; [-1.465-0.405] p = .527), D2P (U Mann Whitney = 30.5, IC95% [-0.800-1.300], p = .630) and MVC-PF (U Mann Whitney = 26.5, IC95% [-8.400, 2.900], p = .386). Isometric exercise was the only one able to modify the PPT-AP before and after treatment in a statistically significant way. In contrast, isotonic exercise was the training that demonstrated clinically significant changes in 2PD and MVC-PF before and after treatment. No statistically significant changes were identified between both groups in any of the variables studied.

Article Details

How to Cite
Martín Pérez, S. E., Martín Pérez, I. M., León Ramírez, P., Rodríguez-Pastrana Trujillo, A. J., Cabrera Cabrera, E., Sánchez Romero, E. A., Sosa Reina, M. D., Alonso Pérez, J. L., Villafañe, J. H., & Fernández Carnero, J. (2022). Immediate effects of isometric versus isotonic exercise on pain sensitivity and motor performance of ankle plantiflexor muscles. Scientific Journal of Sport and Performance, 2(1), 105–118. https://doi.org/10.55860/PGMA4758
Section
Sport Medicine
Author Biographies

Sebastian Eustaquio Martín Pérez, European University of the Canary Islands & European University of Madrid

Musculoskeletal Pain and Motor Control Research Group. Faculty of Health Sciences. European University of the Canary Islands.
Musculoskeletal Pain and Motor Control Research Group. Faculty of Sport Sciences. European University of Madrid.

Isidro Miguel Martín Pérez, University of La Laguna

Department of Physical Medicine and Pharmacology. Area of Radiology and Physical Medicine. Faculty of Health Sciences.

Patricia León Ramírez, European University of the Canary Islands

Musculoskeletal Pain and Motor Control Research Group. Faculty of Health Sciences.

Antonio José Rodríguez-Pastrana Trujillo, European University of the Canary Islands

Musculoskeletal Pain and Motor Control Research Group. Faculty of Health Sciences.

Enrique Cabrera Cabrera, European University of the Canary Islands

Musculoskeletal Pain and Motor Control Research Group. Faculty of Health Sciences.

Eleuterio Atanasio Sánchez Romero, European University of Madrid

Musculoskeletal Pain and Motor Control Research Group. Faculty of Sport Sciences.

María Dolores Sosa Reina, European University of Madrid

Musculoskeletal Pain and Motor Control Research Group. Faculty of Sport Sciences.

José Luis Alonso Pérez, European University of the Canary Islands & European University of Madrid

Musculoskeletal Pain and Motor Control Research Group. Faculty of Health Sciences. European University of the Canary Islands.
Musculoskeletal Pain and Motor Control Research Group. Faculty of Sport Sciences. European University of Madrid.
Onelifecenter. Multidisciplinary Pain Treatment Center. Madrid, Spain.

Josué Fernández Carnero, European University of the Canary Islands & European University of Madrid & Rey Juan Carlos University

Musculoskeletal Pain and Motor Control Research Group. Faculty of Health Sciences. European University of the Canary Islands.
Musculoskeletal Pain and Motor Control Research Group. Faculty of Sport Sciences. European University of Madrid.
Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine. Rey Juan Carlos University.

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