The primary study aim is to unravel the nature of impaired pain inhibition during exercise in patients with chronic Whiplash-Associated Disorders (WAD). This will be ascertained by examining whether activation of serotonergic and/or noradrenergic descending pathways improves pain inhibition during exercise in these patients. In addition, it is aimed at examining whether activation of serotonergic and/or noradrenergic descending pathways prevents post-exertional malaise following submaximal exercise in chronic WAD patients. A secondary study aim comprises of examining the effect of an acute submaximal exercise with and without activation of serotonergic or noradrenergic descending pathways on chronic WAD patients' cognitive performance. Furthermore, the isolated effect of activated serotonergic and noradrenergic descending pathways on chronic WAD patients' cognitive performance will be studied.
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Changes in pain inhibition
Timeframe: Baseline before and after the submaximal graded exercise= day 1 A & B, after first intervention before and after the submaximal graded exercise= day 8 A & B, after second intervention before and after the submaximal graded exercise = day 15 A & B
Changes in psychomotor vigilance and alertness
Timeframe: Baseline before and after the submaximal graded exercise= day 1 A & B, after first intervention before and after the submaximal graded exercise= day 8 A & B, after second intervention before and after the submaximal graded exercise = day 15 A & B
Changes in selective attention and executive function
Timeframe: Baseline before and after the submaximal graded exercise= day 1 A & B, after first intervention before and after the submaximal graded exercise= day 8 A & B, after second intervention before and after the submaximal graded exercise = day 15 A & B