Article

This study aimed to compare muscle pain intensity during a sustained
isometric contraction in women with and without fibromyalgia (FM), and examine
the association between muscle pain and self-reported levels of physical
activity. METHODS: Fourteen women with FM and 14 healthy women completed the
study, where muscle pain ratings (MPRs) were obtained every 30 s during a 3 min
isometric handgrip task at 25% maximal strength, and self-reported physical
activity was quantified using the Baecke Physical Activity Questionnaire.
RESULTS: Women with FM were less physically active than healthy controls. During
the isometric contraction, MPR progressively increased in both groups at a
comparable rate, but women with FM generally reported a greater intensity of
muscle pain than healthy controls. Among all women, average MPR scores were
inversely associated with self-reported physical activity levels. CONCLUSIONS:
Women with FM exhibit augmented muscle pain during isometric contractions and
reduced physical activity than healthy controls. Furthermore, contraction-induced
muscle pain is inversely associated with physical activity levels. These
observations suggest that augmented muscle pain may serve as a behavioral
correlate of reduced physical activity in women with FM. Implications for
Rehabilitation Women with fibromyalgia experience a greater intensity of
localized muscle pain in a contracting muscle compared to healthy women. The
intensity of pain during muscle contraction is inversely associated with the
amount of physical activity in women with and without fibromyalgia. Future
studies should determine whether exercise adherence can be improved by
considering the relationship between contraction-induced muscle pain and
participation in routine physical activity.

Langue : ANGLAIS