- New research shows physically active people have higher pain tolerance compared to those who are sedentary.
- The researchers found that people who are more physically active don’t experience as much chronic pain.
- Benefits of physical activity include weight management, better mental health, a stronger immune system, and a longer lifespan.
Engaging in physical activity on a regular basis is associated with improved overall health.
According to new research published in the journal PLOS ONE, people who were physically active had higher pain tolerance compared to those who were sedentary. Also, the more active people were, the higher their level of pain tolerance was.
Since previous studies on physical activity and pain tolerance were conducted on a small sample size, researchers from the Anders Årnes University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, examined data from 10,732 Norwegian adults for this study.
Participants reported levels of their physical activity and pain tolerance, which were measured with a test that required placing their hands in cold water.
“Pain tolerance is subjective, and the way that it was measured in the study was hand immersion in cold water,” said Dr. Nathan Kadlecek, physical therapist and owner of Kadalyst Wellness and Physical Therapy in Monterey, who was not involved in the study.
“This is really just a proxy to how much pain someone can tolerate. The reasoning behind this is that you are physically active and exercise frequently. Theoretically, you are used to putting your body through very difficult situations and feeling uncomfortable, voluntarily,” he told Medical News Today.
It’s important to note that the more physically fit a person is, the less likely they are to experience pain or injuries through physical activity.
“[I] think what this research is trying to convey is that people who are more physically active don’t have as much chronic pain. And while this is true, it’s probably not due to higher pain tolerance…
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