Pain sensitivity increases more in younger runners during an ultra-marathon

Abstract

This statistical evidence suggests that the overall increase in peripheral and possibly central pain sensitivity was different between our age groups. Pain sensitivity during the ultra-marathon increased more in our younger group of runners than in our older group. This study suggests that there is an unidentified factor in an older population of ultra-marathon runners that results in an attenuated increase in pain sensitivity during an ultra-endurance activity. These factors may include a decreased innate immune response, lower fitness level, lower exertion during the ultra-marathon, variation in endorphin, enkephalin, endocannabinoid and psychological factors in the older age runners.