Exercise proves to be a valuable tool for reducing pain as we age.

A common complaint of the elderly is pain in the muscles and joints. Musculoskeletal pain often limits activity and reduces ones quality of life. A recent study out of Stanford University and published in the journal Arthritis Research and Therapy found that long-term vigorous exercise reduced pain in those who exercised by 25 percent compared to sedentary counterparts.

The researchers compared runners, ages 62 to 76 years old, who averaged 23 miles per week with non-runners over a 14-year period. Those runners, who exercised at least 6 hours per week and attained an exercise intensity that caused them to sweat and achieve a heart rate above 120 beats per minute, experienced 25 percent less musculoskeletal pain than those who were inactive.

In addition, those who exercised over the fourteen-year period of the study were leaner and suffered a lower incidence of arthritis (35% to 43%) than those who were sedentary.

Exercise appears to be an excellent means to improve your quality of life as well as lessen the likelihood of pain along the way.