Abstract
Background: Aging is associated with an increased risk for chronic pain and pain related disability. Minimal research exists on how activity-related pain is associated with the metabolic cost of movement and how this association varies in younger and older adults. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between pain and the metabolic cost of common daily activities in younger, middle, and older aged adults. Methods: 70 individuals (16 younger-aged, 31.3 ± 9.2 yrs; 29 middle-aged, 55.7 ± 5.2 yrs; 25 older-aged, 72.0 ± 5.7 yrs) performed 28 self-paced daily activities (leisure walking, washing dishes, ascending stairs, etc.). Oxygen consumption (VO2) was measured for approximately 8 minutes during each task using a portable metabolic system (Cosmed K4b2). Values were expressed as metabolic equivalents (METs; O2 uptake relative to 3.5 ml/kg/min). A 10-point Likert scale was used to assess ratings of perceived pain. Activity-related pain was calculated by subtracting pain scores rated immediately prior to task start from pain scores rated upon task completion. Results: There was a significant interaction between METs and pain by age category (p < 0.001, R2 = 0.040). Both younger and middle-aged adults showed a significant association between METs and activity-related pain (β = 0.106, p < 0.001; β = 0.083, p = 0.001; respectively). However, there was no relationship observed among older adults (β = 0.029, p = 0.467). Conclusion: Higher activity-related pain is associated with a higher metabolic cost of performing daily activities. This effect appears stronger in younger and middle-aged adults than older adults.
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