Fitness Characteristics of Female Patients with Fibromyalgia

Objectives: To characterize the fitness status of female fibromyalgia syndrome [FS] patients through comparison of performances in fitness testing between FS patients and matched performances in fitness testing between FS patients and matched healthy controls [HC]; examination of the reproducibility of fitness testing in FS patients; and analysis of the effect of [former] sports participation on fitness testing in FS patients. Methods: Eighty-seven FS patients [mean: 44.5 years of age, 12.5 yrs of disease duration] and 52 matched HCs from clerical personnel [44 years of age] participated in the study. Twelve fitness tests were selected to evaluate cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, coordination [skills] and body composition. Results: The peak workload achieved in incremental bicycle ergometer test was significantly lower [30 W, 19%] in FS patients than in HCs. The peak heart rate was also significantly lower [15 b/min, 11%] in FS patients, but the perceived exertion...