Relationship between Physical Activity and Pain in U.S. Adults

Abstract

Purpose: We sought to assess the relationship between physical activity (PA) and pain within the available sample, with secondary aims to assess prevalence of pain, PA levels, health care seeking behaviors, and impact of pain on daily activities and work. Methods: We conducted an epidemiological cross-sectional observational study utilizing National Health Interview Survey data from 2020. We examined the self-reported adherence to current PA guidelines and the prevalence of pain. We hypothesized those dealing with pain were less likely to meet PA guidelines. The PA levels, pain prevalence, frequency, and intensity were assessed via the survey and relationships explored via modeling. Results: Of 31,568, 46% were men and 53.99% women with mean age of 52.27 yr (±17.31 yr). There were 12,429 (39.37%) participants that reported pain on some days, 2761 (8.75%) on most days, and 4661 (14.76%) every day. The odds of engaging in PA decreased in a stepwise fashion based on frequency and intensity of pain reporting when compared with no pain. Importantly, PA is a significant correlate affecting pain reporting, with individuals engaging in PA (strength and aerobic) demonstrating two times lower odds of reporting pain when compared with those not meeting the PA guidelines. Conclusions: There is a significant correlation between meeting PA guidelines and pain. Meeting both criteria of PA guidelines resulted in lower odds of reporting pain. In addition, the odds of participating in PA decreased based on pain frequency reporting. These are important findings for clinicians, highlighting the need for assessing PA not only for those dealing with pain but also as a potential risk factor for minimizing development of chronic pain.

An exploration of low back pain beliefs held by health care professionals in Northern America

“…Similarly, several outdated narratives surrounding activity and LBP were provided in reference to biomechanics and strength (e.g., core strengthening). These narratives appear to miss the bigger picture in which most individuals experiencing CP are not meeting baseline physical activity requirements (Ray et al., 2023). A concern when rationalising passive interventions to patients for LBP is the narrative provided (O'Keeffe et al., 2019).…”

“…Chronic pain (CP) is defined as pain persisting or recurring for 3 months or longer, and often lacks an identifiable pathological cause (Treede et al., 2015). In the United States, CP has been estimated to affect one in four people, costing annually between $560–635 billion in healthcare and lost work productivity (Gaskin & Richard, 2012; Ray et al., 2023). Low back pain (LBP) is the most common location for CP and is defined as pain located between the lower ribs and inferior aspect of the gluteal muscles, potentially occurring with leg symptoms (Hartvigsen et al., 2018).…”

Physical activity and pain in people with and without cancer

“…Pain intensity is the most assessed pain outcome in clinical practice and research, and a 0-10 numeric pain rating scale is currently considered the most optimal measure of pain intensity in analgesic studies. 14,36 For this study, pain was modeled as an ordinal variable, 36,37 including categories of no pain (pain, 0), low pain (pain, 1-3), medium pain (pain, 4-6), and high pain (pain, 7-10).…”

“…In general populations, observational studies indicate that people who are more physically active are less likely to experience pain compared to their less active counterparts. [11][12][13][14] Experimental studies demonstrate decreased pain intensity, sensitivity, and pain-related disability after both acute and ongoing physical activity interventions. [15][16][17][18][19] Physical activity may benefit pain via several central, biological, and psychosocial pathways.…”

“…Physical activity may represent a suitable nonpharmacological treatment strategy for cancer‐related pain. In general populations, observational studies indicate that people who are more physically active are less likely to experience pain compared to their less active counterparts 11–14 . Experimental studies demonstrate decreased pain intensity, sensitivity, and pain‐related disability after both acute and ongoing physical activity interventions 15–19 .…”