This could offer athletes a natural pain reliever.
Both raw and heat-treated ginger reduced pain associated with muscle injury by about 24 percent.
According to NutraIngredients:
"The rhizome of the ginger plant (Zingiber officinale) is a rich source of antioxidants, including gingerols, shogaols, zingerones and other ketone derivatives ... ginger's pain reducing effects are biologically plausible with both in vitro and in vivo animal studies showing an effect of gingerols, shogaols, and zingerones on inflammatory compounds."
Sources: 
Health Articles 
Ginger may reduce the pain associated with muscle injury after exercising.