title: Aerobic training increases pain tolerance in healthy individuals.
abstract: The hypoalgesic effects of acute exercise are well documented. However, the effect of chronic exercise training on pain sensitivity is largely unknown.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effect of aerobic exercise training on pain sensitivity in healthy individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pressure pain threshold, ischemic pain tolerance and pain ratings during ischemia were assessed in 24 participants before and after 6 wk of structured aerobic exercise training (n = 12) or after 6 wk of usual physical activity (n = 12). The exercise training regimen consisted of cycling three times per week for 30 min at 75% of maximal oxygen consumption reserve.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant increases in aerobic fitness (P = 0.004) and ischemic pain tolerance (P = 0.036) were seen in the exercise group after training, whereas pressure pain threshold and pain ratings during ischemia were unchanged (P > 0.2). No change in aerobic fitness (P > 0.1) or pain sensitivity (P > 0.1) was observed in the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Moderate- to vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise training increases ischemic pain tolerance in healthy individuals.
authors: 1School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, AUSTRALIA; and 2Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, AUSTRALIA.
authors: Matthew D
authors: MD
authors: Jones
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Booth
authors: Janet L
authors: JL
authors: Taylor
authors: Benjamin K
authors: BK
authors: Barry
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000502:physiology; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000502:physiology*; D010465:Perception; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D005082:Physical Exertion; D011312:Pressure; D055815:Young Adult