Although not recommended while experiencing a migraine, regular exercise may have a preventative effect on the onset of migraines by helping to reduce associated triggers, new research from the American Academy of Neurology suggests.
Research published ahead of the American Academy of Neurology's 73rd Annual Meeting, held virtually in April, involved over 4,000 patients diagnosed with migraine. Approximately three-quarters of participants had chronic migraines (15 migraines or more a month) and one quarter experienced episodic migraines (up to 14 a month).
Participants completed a questionnaire about the characteristics of their migraines, as well as their sleep, depression, stress, anxiety, and the amount of moderate-to-vigorous exercise they got each week. Types of exercise considered moderate to vigorous in the study included jogging, very brisk walking, playing a sport, heavy cleaning and cycling.