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Study: Aerobic training may increase pain tolerance

Runner training knee pain

Runner training knee pain

Runners may have a higher pain tolerance than the general population, a new study has found.

Published earlier this month, the study found 24 young, healthy individuals who all lived similar lifestyles, but 12 of them expressed an interest in exercising and the other 12 did not. All 24 subjects were tested for pain threshold (the point at which you note that discomfort becomes pain) and pain tolerance (the duration of time you can endure that pain). These were tested with a progressively tightening blood pressure cuff on their arms.

After the preliminary tests, those who had expressed an interest in exercise were instructed to ride a stationary bike at moderate intensity  for 30 minutes, three times per week, for six weeks. The other 12 were told to go back to their normal lifestyles.

At the end of the six weeks of aerobic training, all 24 came back for a second round of testing. Of those who had continued with their regular lifestyle, there were no notable differences in their results, but those who had exercised saw a big jump in pain tolerance. Pain threshold in both groups remained unchanged, but those who had followed the exercise regime could withstand that pain level for longer periods; they still felt pain at the same point, but were more willing to endure it.

Those who exercised also had their aerobic capacity tracked during the study, which provided interesting insight into the pain tolerance change. All 12 subjects became more fit over the course of six weeks, but some more so than others. When they returned to have their pain thresholds and tolerances tested a second time, those who saw the largest increases in aerobic capacity also saw larger jumps in in the pain tolerance tests. This suggests there may be a link between their aerobic fitness and their willingness to endure pain for longer periods.

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