Using cardiovascular parameters and symptom severity to prescribe physical activity in women with fibromyalgia

This study has two main aims, firstly to define subgroups of women affected by fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) based on symptoms and secondly to determine cardiovascular parameters in treadmill exercises in order to prescribe physical activity.

Thirty-two women (age= 53.26+/-6.61 yr) were assigned to two different groups based on their functional capacity and symptoms as measured by the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire and pain. Subjects were submitted twice to a maximum treadmill incremental test until participants achieved volitional exhaustion (VO2max). Expired respiratory gases, ventilator parameters and heart rate (HR) were measured continuously through exercise, and rate perceived exertion (RPE) was assessed once a minute during the test.

Peak VO2 values for the moderately affected group (Group 1) were significantly different from those of severely affected group (Group 2) (26.2+/-2.1 ml x kg(-1) x min(-1) (Group 1) and 22.1+/-2.5 ml x kg(-1) x min(-1) (Group 2)). Additionally taking into account VO2 at ventilatory threshold (VO2VT), significant differences between groups were found in both tests. Some notable differences in all parameters evaluated were also found.

This study has demonstrated that the aerobic capacity of patients with FMS was different according to how severely affected they were by the condition; therefore, physical activity of the same intensity should not be prescribed for both groups. According to these results, health professionals could prescribe physical activity with confidence to this patient group.