No pain, high gain? Triathletes actually feel less pain than the average gym-goer, according to new research from Tel-Aviv University in Israel.
In a battery of tests, Ironman and Olympic-level triathletes showed a higher pain tolerance, rated discomfort less bothersome, and were less fearful of being hurt than mere mortals—a.k.a. people who exercised about 3 days a week.
It could be that triathletes inherently tolerate tough training better, which leads them to stick with and excel at their sport, explains study author Ruth Defrin, Ph.D. But brain stem structures in these athletes’ brains—which are responsible for numbing pain—may actually become more powerful over time from extreme physical and emotional efforts, Defrin adds.
But you don’t necessarily have to register for a tri to prove your manhood—just put in more time at the gym. Regular exercise has been shown to naturally inhibit pain, and can increase your threshold and tolerance for it up to 30 minutes after breaking a sweat, Defrin says.
If you liked this story, you’ll love these:
Powered by WPeMatico
No comments:
Post a Comment