OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of swimming on pain, functional capacity, aerobic capacity and quality of life on patients with fibromyalgia (FM). DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial (RCT). SETTING: Rheumatology outpatient clinics of a university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-five female patients, aged 18 to 60 years, with FM randomly assigned to a swimming group (SG; n = 39) or a walking group (WG; n = 36). INTERVENTION: The SG performed 50 minutes of swimming 3 times a week for 12 weeks, with a heart rate at 11 beats under the anaerobic threshold (AT). The WG performed walking with heart rate at the AT, with the same duration and frequency of SG. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants were evaluated prior to the exercise protocols (T0), at six weeks (T6) and at 12 (T12) weeks after the onset of the protocols. The primary outcome measure was VAS for pain. The secondary measurements were: Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire and SF-36 questionnaire for quality of life; spiroergometric test for cardiorespiratory variables; and Timed Up-and-Go Test for functional performance. RESULTS: Patients in both groups experienced improvement in pain after the 12-week program, however with no difference between groups (p = 0.658). The same results were found regarding functional capacity and quality of life. Moreover, no statistical difference between groups was found regarding aerobic capacity over time. CONCLUSION: Swimming, like walking, is an effective method for reducing pain and improving both functional capacity and quality of life in patients with FM.

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