OBJECTIVES: The goals of this study were to determine the effects of an exercise program on physical fitness and perceived benefits among fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) patients. METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned (ratio 2:1, anticipating dropout) to a fitness intervention (FI, n = 58) group or a nonintervention (NI, n = 27) group. In both groups, physical fitness (maximal power output, muscular strength/endurance, flexibility, coordination) and body composition were measured before and after the six-month observation period. The FI-group underwent a fitness program two times per week for six months while the NI-group continued their usual activity undirected. Benefits perceived by the FI-group were assessed six months after finishing the study. RESULTS: The dropout rate among the FI group was lower than expected (45 of 58 completed), while 27 of 29 in the NI-group completed. Despite randomization, completing FI-group subjects were older than the NI-group (mean ages 47 +/- 8 versus 42 +/- 8 years). The NI-group exhibited a decrease in peak power output and peak heart rate during the study period. Surprisingly, the same was true for the FI-group where the mean peak power output declined from 233 +/- 28 Watts to 112 +/- 23 Watts and the mean peak heart rate declined from 153 +/- 20 to 145 +/- 17. Most of the FI-group subjects (83%) perceived benefits (physical, social) from the exercise program and continued it at their own expense. CONCLUISONS: The fitness program failed to improve the apparent physical fitness in the FMS patient participants but the majority believed they had benefited and elected to continue it.
Full text is available from the Haworth Document Delivery Centre (The Haworth Press Inc, 10 Alice Street, Binghamton NY 13904-1580, USA).

Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):      help

• PDF locator
• publisher