Regular exercise, including activities such as Pilates and tai chi, may help reduce pain across a wide range of conditions, with even relatively modest amounts of physical activity producing meaningful benefits, according to a new study from the University of Adelaide.

Researchers reviewed 157 systematic reviews covering 2,736 randomised controlled trials and more than 220,000 participants to examine how exercise affects acute and chronic pain.

The study found that exercise reduced pain by about 1.1 points on a scale from zero to 10. The researchers said this reduction was roughly 60% greater than the average relief reported for common pain medicines in separate trials involving chronic pain.

The analysis examined how different forms, intensities and durations of exercise affected pain outcomes. It found that lower-intensity exercise was associated with greater pain reductions than moderate or vigorous activity.

Shorter exercise programmes also produced stronger effects. Programmes lasting about 12 weeks were more effective than longer interventions, while routines involving less than 120 minutes of exercise per week were associated with greater pain relief than programmes requiring more weekly activity.

“More exercise wasn’t necessarily better,” said lead researcher Ben Singh. He said shorter and lower-intensity programmes could produce greater reductions in pain, suggesting that people with chronic pain may not need to exercise harder or for longer to experience useful benefits.

The researchers said exercise may affect pain through several biological and psychological mechanisms. Physical activity can stimulate the release of chemicals such as endorphins and serotonin, which may influence pain perception and tolerance. Exercise can also help regulate inflammation, affect how the brain processes pain and improve mood, Singh said.

Carol Maher, a senior researcher at the University of Adelaide, said the findings provide evidence for making exercise a more regular part of pain management at a time when healthcare providers are looking for approaches that can complement medication.

Despite the evidence, the researchers said exercise remains underused in pain treatment. Patients are often advised simply to stay active rather than being given a structured programme specifying the type of exercise, intensity and duration that may be appropriate for their condition.

Singh said healthcare providers need clearer guidance on which forms of exercise are most suitable for particular patients and how such programmes should be prescribed.

The researchers cautioned that exercise should not be viewed as a universal treatment or an expectation that pain will disappear. Its effects can vary depending on the underlying condition, an individual’s fitness level and how consistently they follow an exercise programme.

The findings suggest that carefully designed, manageable exercise routines could form a useful part of pain care, particularly for people who may find demanding physical activity difficult to maintain.

The US military said its forces struck a suspected drug-smuggling boat in the Caribbean on Saturday, killing four people, as the Trump administration intensifies efforts to disrupt trafficking routes used by drug cartels.

US Southern Command said Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere carried out what it described as a lethal strike against a “go-fast vessel” operating along established drug-trafficking routes in the Caribbean.

“Confirmed intelligence revealed the vessel’s active involvement in narco-trafficking,” the command said in a statement posted on social media.

The military also released video footage that appeared to show a moving boat before a large explosion. The statement did not provide details about the identities of those killed, the location of the strike or whether drugs were recovered from the vessel.

The operation comes as President Donald Trump has made combating drug cartels a major national security priority. Trump has pledged to “wage war” against cartels and has argued that drug-trafficking organisations pose a threat to US national security and foreign policy.

The administration has linked cartel activity to what it describes as severe consequences for communities across the United States, including the flow of illegal narcotics into the country.

The latest strike is part of a broader US military campaign known as Operation Southern Spear. The operation is aimed at disrupting narcotics trafficking across the Western Hemisphere and has involved attacks on suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean.

US officials have said the campaign is intended to target maritime routes used by trafficking organisations to move illegal drugs toward North America.

The Trump administration has also sought greater cooperation with governments across Central and South America through a security initiative known as the Shield of the Americas. The coalition is intended to strengthen regional efforts against organised crime and drug cartels.

The expansion of military operations against suspected trafficking vessels has raised questions about the legal basis and rules governing such strikes, particularly when lethal force is used against people aboard civilian-looking boats.

US authorities have maintained that the vessels targeted by the campaign are involved in narcotics trafficking based on intelligence gathered before operations are carried out.

The military has not provided further details about Saturday’s operation, including what intelligence was used to identify the boat or the specific type of narcotics allegedly being transported.

The strike comes as Washington continues to increase pressure on drug-trafficking networks and seeks greater regional cooperation to restrict maritime routes used to move narcotics.

Rescuers in California have recovered the body of the ninth and final person missing in an avalanche in the Sierra Nevada mountains, the local sheriff’s office confirmed.

The avalanche struck Castle Peak, near the Lake Tahoe area, on Tuesday, catching a group of 15 skiers, including four guides and 11 paying clients. Out of the group, six people survived, making the incident one of the deadliest avalanches in recent US history.

“Nine individuals who lost their lives in the Castle Peak avalanche on 17 February have been safely recovered from the mountain,” the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

Sheriff Shannan Moon expressed condolences to the victims’ families, stating, “There are no words that truly capture the significance of this loss and our hearts mourn alongside the families of those affected by this catastrophic event.”

Officials had warned on Thursday that search operations would extend into the weekend due to inclement weather and challenging conditions. Heavy snowfall, white-out visibility, and the ongoing threat of further slides complicated recovery efforts, forcing rescue teams to proceed cautiously.

The six survivors, including five clients and one guide, were able to call for help soon after the avalanche occurred. However, the combination of poor visibility and hazardous terrain delayed rescue teams for several hours.

Late on Thursday, families of six victims released a statement identifying them as women described as “mothers, wives and friends, all of whom connected through the love of the outdoors.” They were remembered as “passionate, skilled skiers who cherished time together in the mountains,” though families acknowledged that many questions about the tragedy remain unanswered.

The Sierra Nevada region had been under avalanche warnings at the time of the incident, with authorities urging caution for all backcountry skiers. Rescue teams from local and state agencies worked through dangerous conditions to locate and recover the missing.

Officials emphasized the importance of safety and preparedness in avalanche-prone areas, noting that even experienced skiers can face life-threatening risks when conditions deteriorate rapidly. The Castle Peak tragedy has prompted renewed discussions about avalanche awareness and emergency response in high-risk recreational areas.

Rescue crews are continuing to monitor the area for further hazards, while local authorities and outdoor groups are offering support to families and friends affected by the loss. The community has expressed solidarity with the victims and survivors, highlighting the shared impact of the avalanche on those who enjoy winter sports in the Lake Tahoe region.