Pain was significantly reduced post treatment by l and -based and water-based AE , exercises with slight to moderate intensity and frequency of two or three times per week .
Positive effects on depressed mood , HRQOL and physical fitness could be maintained at follow-up .
Continuing exercise was associated with positive outcomes at follow-up .
Introduction The efficacy and the optimal type and volume of aerobic exercise ( AE ) in fibromyalgia syndrome ( FMS ) are not established .
We therefore assessed the efficacy of different types and volumes of AE in FMS .
Patients with Fibromyalgia Benefit from Aerobic Endurance Exercise
Abstract : Fibromyalgia ( FM ) is a disorder characterised by diffuse widespread musculoskeletal aching and stiffness and multiple tender points [ 1 ] . Its pathophysiology is poorly understood . The influence of aerobic endurance exercise on pain in patients with FM was investigated . Twenty-seven patients ( 25 female , 2 male ) participated in a controlled clinical study and performed 12 weeks of jogging , walking , cycling or swimming following a given schedule .  Twelve sedentary FM patients ( 11 female , 1 male ) served as controls . Before and after training both the study and the control groups were evaluated spiroergometrically .  Tender point pain was quantified by dolorimetry . The painful body surface was estimated by a pain body diagram , and its intensity by a visual analogue scale and a ranking scale . Patients trained for an average of 25 min two to three times a week , with an average intensity of 50 % of maximal oxygen uptake ( VO2max ) . Unlike the control group , the training group exhibited a decrease in heart rate and VO2 and an increase in respiratory quotient during submaximal workload . Maximal performance capacity and VO2max remained unchanged , whereas the wattpulse ( watt/heart rate ) improved at maximal workload . Pain parameters remained unchanged in the control group , but in the training group the mean number of positive tender points ( 15.4/12.7 ) , the mean pain threshold of the gluteal tender point ( 2.89 kp/3.50 kp ) and the painful body surface ( 18%/15 % body surface ) decreased significantly . Subjective general pain condition deteriorated in two patients but improved in 17 . Our results suggest a positive effect of aerobic endurance exercise on fitness and well-being in patients with FM
Pain was significantly reduced post treatment by l and -based and water-based AE , exercises with slight to moderate intensity and frequency of two or three times per week .
Positive effects on depressed mood , HRQOL and physical fitness could be maintained at follow-up .
Continuing exercise was associated with positive outcomes at follow-up .
Introduction The efficacy and the optimal type and volume of aerobic exercise ( AE ) in fibromyalgia syndrome ( FMS ) are not established .
We therefore assessed the efficacy of different types and volumes of AE in FMS .