The older you get, the less painful your bones, joints, and muscles are, the more you exercise. Exercising vigorously at least once a week can help prevent chronic musculoskeletal pain, a study has found.
Dr. Nils Niedersstrasser’s team at the University of Portsmouth, UK, conducted a study based on data from 5,802 adults 50 years and older over a 10-year period. The researchers looked for information on gender, body mass index, age, financial status, and chronic pain experiences. Of these, nearly 2,400, or nearly half, reported experiencing musculoskeletal pain at the end of the 10-year period.
In the study, △washing, cleaning, DIY activities, etc. light activities △ moderate exercise such as dancing, walking, stretching, and gardening △ tennis, running, swimming, and physical exertion on the job, etc., were helpful in preventing musculoskeletal pain. classified as strenuous exercise.
According to the researchers, all physical activity helped reduce the likelihood of experiencing pain, but over time, only high levels of physical activity were associated with a lower risk of developing musculoskeletal pain.
That said, while any activity may help you stay healthy and feel better than no exercise, light exercise doesn’t seem to have a long-term effect on the development of chronic pain. Additionally, the study found that such strenuous activity should be performed at least once a week.
Pain is more persistent and common in women
The study found that poverty, women, and being overweight or obese were all independent risk factors for musculoskeletal pain.
Persistent pain is more common in women, likely due to hormonal differences. This is because being obese or overweight puts a strain on the joints in addition to the excess weight, and when it comes to income, people with high disposable income can get additional treatment for illness or injury beyond what is covered by insurance or national health services. It is said that it appears to be
“Chronic pain is a big problem at any age, and since pain tends to become more common with age, it’s important to find ways to help prevent and reduce pain,” said Dr Niedustraser.
The researchers hope that this study will help find ways to help low-income people while including regular, vigorous physical activity and weight loss programs in designing programs to prevent chronic pain. Data from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging were used in this study, and the results were published in PLOS ONE.
