Gender differences in perceived intensity and affect of pain between athletes and nonathletes

The present investigation was conducted to test empirically possible gender differences between athletes and nonathletes on measures of perceived intensity and affect of pain. Athletes were 7 male and 7 female NCAA Division I track athletes. The nonathletes, 7 men and 7 women, were randomly selected from undergraduate classes in physical activities. Responses on visual analogue scales for perceived pain intensity and pain affect were recorded for a cold-water pressor test. Significant group differences examined by Bonferroni contrasts indicated differences between nonathletic women and the other 3 groups on intensity of pain and for male and female athletes on pain affect, as well as for male athletes and nonathletes on pain affect. Univariate analyses of variance indicated significant differences on intensity and affect associated with pain. Research must explore whether differences are related to socialization or personality.