Background & Aims
Many studies have shown that exercise can significantly influence pain threshold and tolerance. However, most of this research has been conducted in controlled laboratory settings and often involves professional or elite athletes. As a result, their findings might not be applicable to the general population in everyday conditions. To bridge this gap, we investigated whether physical activity affects pain tolerance in recreational skyrunners and rock climbers.
Methods
This observational study included 86 endurance athletes: 39 skyrunners and 47 rock climbers (age 29 [24-35.75], 40% female). To assess pain threshold and tolerance, we conducted a Cold Pressor Test (CPT) before and after the endurance activity. The activity intensity was assessed both objectively as kilometer-effort per hour and subjectively on a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) from 0 to 10.
Results
Skyrunners had significantly lower pain threshold before the activity compared to rock climbers p < 0.01. Physical activity significantly reduced pain threshold in both skyrunners (20 [10-51]s vs 51 [10 – 163], p < 0.01) and rock climbers (10 [8-15]s vs (12 [10 -16]s, p < 0.01). The difference in pain threshold was not significantly correlated with objective or subjective activity intensity or duration. Pain tolerance was similar in skyrunners and rock climbers (180 [180 – 180]s for both groups) and did not change with physical activity.
Conclusions
Skyrunners had higher pain threshold, but similar pain tolerance to rock climbers. Both types of physical activities increased pain threshold independently of activity intensity and duration.
References
Le?nicka K, Pawlak M, Maciejewska-Skrendo A, Buczny J, Wojtkowska A, Pawlus G, Machoy-Mokrzy?ska A, Ja?d?ewska A. Is Physical Activity an Effective Factor for Modulating Pressure Pain Threshold and Pain Tolerance after Cardiovascular Incidents? Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Sep 8;19(18):11276. doi: 10.3390/ijerph191811276. PMID: 36141549; PMCID: PMC9517088.
Årnes AP, Nielsen CS, Stubhaug A, Fjeld MK, Johansen A, Morseth B, Strand BH, Wilsgaard T, Steingrímsdóttir ÓA. Longitudinal relationships between habitual physical activity and pain tolerance in the general population. PLoS One. 2023 May 24;18(5):e0285041. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285041. PMID: 37224163; PMCID: PMC10208467.
Presenting Author
Nemanja Radovanovic
Poster Authors
Suzana Bojic
MD
Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
Lead Author
Milica Radovic
Department of ICU for Internal Medicine, UCHC Zemun, Belgrade, Serbia
Lead Author
Nemanja Radovanovic
MD
Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, University Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
Lead Author
Topics
- Models: Acute Pain