Physical Activity to Prevent the Age-Related Decline of Endogenous Pain Modulation.

As humans age, the capacity of the central nervous system to endogenously modulate pain significantly deteriorates, thereby increasing the risk for the development of chronic pain. Older adults are the least physically active cohort of all age groups. We hypothesize that a sedentary lifestyle and decreased physical activity may contribute to the decline of endogenous pain modulation associated with aging.