Comparing pain relief from exercise in arms and legs

Differences in Exercise-Induced Hypoalgesia at Local and Distal Levels Using Lower and Upper Limb Cycle Ergometer Protocols: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Healthy Participants

PHASE1 · Centro Universitario La Salle · NCT06283186

This study tests if exercising your arms or legs can help reduce pain sensitivity in healthy people.

Quick facts

PhasePHASE1
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment90 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 64 Years
SexAll
SponsorCentro Universitario La Salle (other)
Locations1 site (Madrid)
Trial IDNCT06283186 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized controlled trial investigates how aerobic exercise affects pain sensitivity in healthy individuals by comparing three groups: one exercising on a lower limb cycle ergometer, another on an upper limb cycle ergometer, and a control group. Participants will engage in 30 minutes of aerobic activity at 70-80% of their heart rate reserve. The study will measure changes in pressure pain thresholds in both the thigh and elbow to assess exercise-induced hypoalgesia. The goal is to determine if the location of exercise influences pain relief in different body regions.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy individuals aged 18 to 64 without any significant medical history.

Not a fit: Patients with cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, neurological, or osteomuscular conditions, as well as those experiencing pain, will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide insights into effective pain management strategies through exercise.

How similar studies have performed: While the concept of exercise-induced hypoalgesia has been explored, this specific comparative approach is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Asymptomatic subjects aged between 18 and 64 years.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, neurological, or osteomuscular signs or pathologies.
* History of epilepsy.
* Pregnant
* Pharmacological treatment.
* Participants who present any type of pain on the day of the measurements or who have frequently suffered pain during the previous 12 weeks.

Where this trial is running

Madrid

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Healthy Subjects, Local Hypoalgesia, Distal Hypoalgesia, Aerobic Exercise, Pressure Pain Thresholds

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.