Exercise may prevent pain in older adults

Running and other forms of vigorous exercise may prevent some of the aches and pains that come with age. Researchers from the Stanford University, California, USA, did a study with 866 healthy adults who were at least 50 years old and more than half of whom were members of a runners' club. At the start of the study and annually thereafter, all participants reported the amount of time per week they devoted to vigorous exercise, such as running, swimming, brisk walking, biking and aerobics. They also used a pain-rating scale to describe any pain or stiffness they'd suffered during the past week. It was found that on an average, participants' exercise levels at the end of the 14-year study remained similar to what they were at the outset. Adults who regularly exercised were less likely to develop painful joints and muscles over the next 14 years. This was despite the fact that active men and women were more likely to have a history of bone fracture. On the other hand, their sedentary peers had a higher rate of arthritis, which may help explain the findings. It's also possible that active adults' lower risk of pain reflected their greater musculoskeletal reserve or the effects of endorphins, natural pain-killing chemicals released by the brain during prolonged exercise. But the exact mechanism by which regular exercise may ward off chronic pain is not yet clear. The runners' club members spent more time sweating – putting in an average of 5 hours of exercise per week, versus 2 hours among the other study participants. They also tended to be younger and leaner, but even when the researchers factored in weight and other differences, greater activity was related to less pain over time. The study measured a variety of activities besides running, and many previous studies have also illustrated the overall health benefits of moderate exercise.