ORIGINAL RESEARCH
A comparison of pressure pain thresholds in individuals with high and low physical activity levels
1
Department of Physiotherapy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
Submission date: 2025-11-25
Final revision date: 2026-01-11
Acceptance date: 2026-01-12
Online publication date: 2026-05-15
Corresponding author
Marta Wiśniewska
Department of Physiotherapy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 32/2 Saperska St., 61-493 Poznan, Poland
Department of Physiotherapy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 32/2 Saperska St., 61-493 Poznan, Poland
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
The effect of physical activity on the pain threshold has been widely studied, yet variation in study populations and methods has hindered a clear conclusion.
Aim:
The aim of this study was to examine the influence of physical activity on the pressure pain threshold (PPT) values, taking sex, training intensity, and time of participants into account.
Materials and Methods:
Fifty-three participants were assigned to high or low physical activity groups on the basis of questionnaire data. The PPT was measured at four sites on the right side of the body: the supraspinatus muscle, the lateral epicondyle of the humerus, the gluteal, and the medial knee area. These measures were used to determine upper- and lower-limb pain threshold values.
Results:
Participants with high physical activity demonstrated significantly higher upper-limb PPT values than those with low activity. Lower-limb PPT values were significantly higher in men than in women. Weak but significant positive correlations were found between training intensity and upper-limb PPT values, between average physical activity time and upper-limb PPT values, and between average physical activity time and lower-limb PPT values. A longer history of regular activity significantly predicted lower lower-limb PPT values.
Conclusions:
These findings indicate that higher physical activity levels may be associated with higher PPT values. Training intensity, duration of activity, long-term activity, and sex may also influence pain sensitivity, highlighting the need for further research.
The effect of physical activity on the pain threshold has been widely studied, yet variation in study populations and methods has hindered a clear conclusion.
Aim:
The aim of this study was to examine the influence of physical activity on the pressure pain threshold (PPT) values, taking sex, training intensity, and time of participants into account.
Materials and Methods:
Fifty-three participants were assigned to high or low physical activity groups on the basis of questionnaire data. The PPT was measured at four sites on the right side of the body: the supraspinatus muscle, the lateral epicondyle of the humerus, the gluteal, and the medial knee area. These measures were used to determine upper- and lower-limb pain threshold values.
Results:
Participants with high physical activity demonstrated significantly higher upper-limb PPT values than those with low activity. Lower-limb PPT values were significantly higher in men than in women. Weak but significant positive correlations were found between training intensity and upper-limb PPT values, between average physical activity time and upper-limb PPT values, and between average physical activity time and lower-limb PPT values. A longer history of regular activity significantly predicted lower lower-limb PPT values.
Conclusions:
These findings indicate that higher physical activity levels may be associated with higher PPT values. Training intensity, duration of activity, long-term activity, and sex may also influence pain sensitivity, highlighting the need for further research.
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| ISSN: | 2300-0767 |
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