Exercise Might Increase Your Pain Tolerance

By Cara Murez

HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, May 25, 2023 (HealthDay News) — One possible solution to reduce chronic pain: Get moving.

A new Norwegian study finds that physically active people have a higher pain tolerance compared to sedentary people. Those with higher levels of activity also had a higher pain tolerance, according to the report published online May 24 in PLUS ONE.

“Getting or staying physically active over time can benefit your pain tolerance. Whatever you do, the most important thing is that you do something,” study author Anders Årnes, a doctoral student at the University Hospital of Northern Norway, and his colleagues said in a journal news release.

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from more than 10,000 adults who participated in a large population survey conducted regularly in Norway.

Using data from two rounds of the study (2007 to 2008 and 2015 to 2016), the researchers examined participants’ reported levels of physical activity and their pain tolerance levels. Pain tolerance was tested by immersing one hand in cold water.

Those who reported being physically active in either round of the study had higher pain tolerance than those who reported a sedentary lifestyle in both rounds.

Additionally, participants with higher total activity levels had a higher pain tolerance. Those who had higher activity in the second round than in the first had a higher overall level of pain tolerance, the findings showed.

The researchers found no statistically significant relationship between activity level and changes in pain tolerance between the two rounds of the study.

However, they said, the findings suggest that staying physically active, becoming active or increasing activity is linked to increased pain tolerance.

Boosting physical activity could be a potential strategy to alleviate or prevent chronic pain, the study authors suggested.

Future research could help confirm whether there really is a cause-and-effect relationship between activity and pain, they noted.

More information

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about the benefits of physical activity.

FOUNTAIN: PLUS ONEpress release, May 25, 2023