Article

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether moderate intensity endurance exercise has
similar effects on cardiovascular fitness and autonomic function in patients with
fibromyalgia and healthy controls. DESIGN: Case-control intervention study.
SUBJECTS: Twenty-five female patients with fibromyalgia and
25 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (age range 40-64 years) were recruited to the study.
Fifteen patients and 19 controls participated at both pre- and post-test.
METHODS: Supervised spinning workouts of moderate intensity
(~75% of
age-predicted maximum heart rate) were performed twice a week for 12 weeks.
Cardiovascular fitness was evaluated by an incremental ergometer cycling test to
anaerobic threshold. Autonomic function was assessed by heart rate recovery after
exercise, resting blood pressure, and resting heart rate variability. Pain was
scored on a visual analogue scale, while overall symptom level was assessed by
the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire. RESULTS: Linear regression analysis with
adjustments for baseline level and attendance rate showed a similar
dose-dependent increase in patients and controls in oxygen uptake and workload
after the 12-week intervention. Indices of autonomic function remained unchanged
in both groups. Neck/shoulder pain decreased in patients, while overall symptom
level remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Female patients with fibromyalgia have
similar cardiovascular adaptations to moderate intensity endurance exercise as
healthy controls.

Langue : ANGLAIS