Affiliations: [a] Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Talca, Chile | [b] Facultad de Ciencias del Deporte, AFIDES Research Group, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain | [c] Physical Activity, Physical Education, Sport and Health Research Centre, Sports Science Department, School of Science and Engineering, Reykjavik University, Reykjavik, Iceland
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Jose M. Saavedra, Sports Science Department, School of Science and Engineering, Reykjavik University, Menntavegur 1, Nauthólsvík, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland. Tel.: +354 599 6343; Fax: +354 599 6201; E-mail:saavedra@ru.is
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Patients with fibromyalgia present a reduced capacity
of upper and lower limb physical performance and affect their independence
in performing everyday activities. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present systematic review was to
summarize evidence for the effectiveness and structure of exercise programs
on functional aerobic capacity in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. METHODS: Keyword searches were made of seven databases. The
systematic review was limited to English language studies of people with FM
that evaluated the effects of exercise programs on functional aerobic
capacity (6-minute walk test). RESULTS: The criteria for inclusion were satisfied by 12 randomized
controlled trial (RCT) studies. The main cumulative evidence indicates that
the programs based on aerobic exercise alone and on aquatic exercises have
large (effect size = 0.85) and moderate (effect size = 0.44) effects. CONCLUSIONS: Aerobic and aquatic exercises at the proper intensity
favour the increased functional aerobic capacity of fibromyalgia patients;
however, most works do not adequately detail the intensity of the exercises.
Moderate intensity exercise (aerobic and aquatic exercise) performed at
least two times per week and 30-60 minutes a day is effective for increasing
functional aerobic capacity, favouring the daily activities of daily living
in this population.
