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A new analysis of data from more than 10,000 adults shows that people who were physically active had higher pain tolerance than those who were sedentary, and those with higher levels of activity had higher levels of pain tolerance. Anders Årnes from the University Hospital of Northern Norway, Tromsø, and colleagues present these findings in the open access journal PLOS ONE on May 24, 2023.
Previous research has suggested the possibility that a habit of increasing exercise may help relieve or prevent chronic pain by increasing pain tolerance. However, most studies on this topic have been small or focused on small groups of people.
To clarify the relationship between physical activity and pain tolerance, Årnes and colleagues analyzed data from 10,732 Norwegian adults who participated in a large population study – the Tromsø study – that is conducted periodically in Norway. The researchers used data from two rounds of the Tromsø study, one conducted from 2007 to 2008 and the other from 2015 to 2016. The data included the participants’ self-reported levels of physical activity and their levels of pain tolerance, as evaluated in a test immersing their hand in cold water.
Statistical analysis of the data showed that participants who reported being physically active in both rounds of the Tromsø study had a higher pain tolerance than those who reported a sedentary lifestyle in both rounds. Participants with higher overall activity levels had higher pain tolerance and those who had more activity in 2015/2016 than in 2007/2008 had higher overall levels of pain tolerance.
The analysis showed no statistically significant relationship between activity level and changes in pain tolerance between the two rounds of the study. Nevertheless, it suggests that staying physically active, becoming active, or stimulating more activity is associated with higher pain tolerance.
Based on their findings, the researchers suggest that boosting physical activity could be a potential strategy to alleviate or prevent chronic pain. Future research could help confirm whether there is indeed a cause-and-effect relationship between activity and pain tolerance and evaluate potential therapeutic applications.
The authors add, “Becoming or staying physically active over time can benefit your pain tolerance. Whatever you’re doing, the important thing is that you’re doing something.”
More information:
Longitudinal relationships between habitual physical activity and pain tolerance in the general population, PLOS ONE (2023). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285041
Quote: Physical activity linked to higher pain tolerance (2023, May 24) Retrieved May 29, 2023 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-05-physical-linked-higher-pain-tolerance.html
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