Scientists have found that an individual’s post-workout level of pain sensitivity could indicate their chances of developing chronic pain.

In a study carried out by the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, published by the Journal of Pain, researchers found that rats displaying the least sensitivity to pain after running on a treadmill were less likely to develop pain after a nerve injury.

Scientists know that exercise helps the body tolerate pain, but the post-workout level of pain sensitivity could provide important clues on the chances of developing chronic pain, say the researchers.

“We could use it as a form of patient profiling,” says Junad Khan, who co-led the study. “We hope that the finding from this study could support the development of individual pain management plans.”