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The Influence of Variation in the Catechol-O-methyltransferase Gene on Perceptual Response to Exercise

Satchidanand, Nikhil (2010) The Influence of Variation in the Catechol-O-methyltransferase Gene on Perceptual Response to Exercise. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

THE INFLUENCE OF VARIATION IN THE CATECHOL-O-METHYLTRANSFERASE GENE ON PERCEPTUAL RESPONSE TO EXERCISENikhil Satchidanand, PhDUniversity of Pittsburgh, 2010INTRODUCTION: Exercise is a psycho-physiological stressor that activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, eliciting increased catecholamine production. The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene codes for the enzyme that catabolizes catecholamines as part of antinonciception. Haplotypes of COMT are implicated in interindividual differences in sensation of pain and possibly exertional perception.PURPOSE: To examine the influence of haplotypes of COMT on exertional perceptions and lower-body pain (LBP) during a sub-maximal graded exercise test (GXT) among adults.METHODS: Subjects (n=169, 55% female, mean age: 29.16 + 4.10 yrs) completed one sub-maximal GXT to 85% of age-adjusted maximal heart-rate. Oxygen uptake (VO2), minute ventilation (VE) and heart rate were measured at each stage. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE; OMNI Scale) were estimated for the overall body (RPE-O), legs (RPE-L), and chest (RPE-C) at 2:45 of each stage. Exercise-induced LBP (Cook Pain Scale) was assessed at 2:55. One sample for DNA extraction was collected. Subject categories were Low Responder (LR), Average Responder (AR), or High Responder (HR). For each subject, linear regression models were generated for RPE or Pain expressed as a function of each physiological criterion variable. A separate slope was calculated for each regression model. Slopes were compared among subgroups via ANCOVA, controlling for age and physical activity.RESULTS: For males when RPE (Legs, Chest) was expressed as a function of %VO2max, HR subjects exhibited higher (p < .001) slopes than LR subjects. When RPE-L was expressed as a function of VE, HR subjects exhibited higher (p <.001) slopes than LR subjects. Finally, among males when RPE (Legs, Chest) was expressed as a function of heart rate, HR subjects exhibited higher (p < .001) slopes than LR subjects. No significant differences existed among females for any of the associations. For both males and females, when LBP was expressed as a function of each physiological criterion variable, HR subjects exhibited significantly higher slopes than LR subjects (p < .001).CONCLUSIONS: Haplotypes of the COMT gene appear to influence interindividual differences in exertional perceptions and LBP during a sub-maximal GXT. Subjects with the HR genotype exhibited higher RPEs and LBP than LR subjects at a given workload.


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Details

Item Type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Satchidanand, NikhilNS1@buffalo.edu
ETD Committee:
TitleMemberEmail AddressPitt UsernameORCID
Committee ChairNagle, Elizabeth FNagle@pitt.eduNAGLE
Committee MemberFerrell, Robert ERFerrell@pitt.eduRFERRELL
Committee MemberRobertson, Robert JRRobert@pitt.eduRROBERT
Committee MemberConley, YvetteYConley@pitt.eduYCONLEY
Date: 7 December 2010
Date Type: Completion
Defense Date: 8 September 2010
Approval Date: 7 December 2010
Submission Date: 6 December 2010
Access Restriction: No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately.
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: School of Education > Health, Physical, Recreational Education
Degree: PhD - Doctor of Philosophy
Thesis Type: Doctoral Dissertation
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: catecholamines; exercise-induced lower body pain; perception of exertion
Other ID: http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-12062010-115157/, etd-12062010-115157
Date Deposited: 10 Nov 2011 20:08
Last Modified: 15 Nov 2016 13:53
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/10114

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