Article

OBJECTIVES: Resistance exercise results in health benefits in fibromyalgia. The
aim of this study was to determine the factors that mediate change in muscle
strength in women with fibromyalgia as a result of resistance exercise. METHODS:
Sixty-seven women with fibromyalgia (age range 25-64 years) were included. Tests
of muscle strength and questionnaires related to pain, fear avoidance and
physical activity were carried out. Multivariable stepwise regression was used to
analyse explanatory factors for change and predictors for final values of
knee-extension force, elbow-flexion force and hand-grip force. RESULTS: Change in
knee-extension force was explained by fear avoidance beliefs about physical
activity at baseline, together with change in pain intensity, knee-extension
force at baseline, age and body mass index (BMI) (R2=0.40, p = 0.013). Change in
elbow-flexion force was explained by pain intensity at baseline, together with
baseline fear avoidance beliefs about physical activity, BMI and elbow-flexion
force at baseline (R2 = 0.32,
p = 0.043). Change in hand-grip force was explained
by hand-grip force at baseline, change in pain intensity and baseline fear
avoidance (R2 = 0.37, p = 0.009). Final muscle strength was predicted by the same
variables as change, except pain. CONCLUSION: Pain and fear avoidance are
important factors to consider in rehabilitation using resistance exercise for
women with fibromyalgia.

Langue : ANGLAIS