Conclusion The main results included reduction in pain , fatigue , number of tender points , depression , and anxiety , with increased functional capacity and quality of life .
Background Fibromyalgia ( FM ) is characterized by chronic and generalized musculoskeletal pain .
There is currently no cure for FM , but palliative treatments are available .
One type of treatment is strength training ( ST ) .
However , there is a need for more information on optimal training protocol s , intensity , and volume needed to improve symptoms .
The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of ST in the treatment of FM through a systematic review of experimental research .
Effects of strength training on muscle strength, cross-sectional area, maximal electromyographic activity, and serum hormones in premenopausal women with fibromyalgia.
OBJECTIVE To examine the effects of strength training on basal concentrations and acute responses of serum hormones , and their possible interrelationships with training induced muscle hypertrophy and strength gains of the knee extensor muscles in women with fibromyalgia ( FM ) and healthy controls . METHODS Twenty-one premenopausal women with FM were r and omized to 21 week strength training ( FMT ; n = 11 ) or control ( FMC ; n = 10 ) groups . Twelve premenopausal sedentary healthy women served as controls ( HC ) . Surface electromyographic ( EMG ) activity , maximal unilateral isometric force of the right knee extensors , and muscle cross-sectional area ( CSA ) of the quadriceps femoris throughout the lengths of 3/12 to 12/15 of the femur ( Lf ) were measured . Serum concentrations of total and free testosterone and growth hormone ( GH ) were analyzed at rest and in pre- and post-exercise conditions , while levels of insulin-like growth factor and dehydroepi and rosterone sulfate were measured at rest only . RESULTS Mean ( SD ) maximal force increased by 18 % ( 10 % ) ( p < 0.001 ) in the FMT group , and by 22 % ( 12 % ) ( p < 0.001 ) in the HC , while in the FMC it remained unchanged . Maximum integrated EMG of the agonists ( VL + VM/2 ) increased in HC by 22 % ( p < 0.05 ) and in the FMT by 19 % ( p < 0.05 ) . Significant increases in the CSA of the QF were observed at 5 to 12/15 Lf in FMT ( p < 0.05 - 0.01 ) and at 3 to 12/15 Lf in HC ( p < 0.05 - 0.001 ) , while in FMC the CSA remained unchanged . No training induced changes occurred in the basal concentrations of serum hormones examined . A significant acute increase took place in the mean concentration of GH at pre-training in HC ( p < 0.01 ) and in the FMT ( p < 0.05 ) , while at post-training the elevations after the loading ( p < 0.001 and 0.05 ) remained elevated up to 15 min ( p < 0.05 ) in HC and up to 30 min ( p < 0.01 ) post-loading in the FMT . CONCLUSION Both the magnitude and time course of adaptations of the neuromuscular system to resistance training in women with FM were completely comparable to those taking place in healthy women .  Basal levels of the anabolic hormones seem to be similar in women with FM compared to age matched healthy women . Observations recorded during the acute loading conditions might be considered an indication of the training induced adaptation of the endocrine system , showing that the acute GH response may become systematic after strength training in both women with FM and controls
Conclusion The main results included reduction in pain , fatigue , number of tender points , depression , and anxiety , with increased functional capacity and quality of life .
Background Fibromyalgia ( FM ) is characterized by chronic and generalized musculoskeletal pain .
There is currently no cure for FM , but palliative treatments are available .
One type of treatment is strength training ( ST ) .
However , there is a need for more information on optimal training protocol s , intensity , and volume needed to improve symptoms .
The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of ST in the treatment of FM through a systematic review of experimental research .