Effect of supervised physical exercise on flexibility of fibromyalgia patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Fibromyalgia is characterized by chronic diffuse musculoskeletal pain. The syndrome, of still unknown etiology, predominantly affects females. Considering that aerobic, resisted and flexibility exercises may help improving the negative impact of fibromyalgia on quality of life, this study aimed at observing the effect of supervised physical exercise on the flexibility of female patients with fibromyalgia treated in the Extension Project “Interdisciplinary treatment of fibromyalgia patients”, developed in the Universidade do Rio de Janeiro. METHODS: The study consisted in a program of supervised physical exercises lasting six months. Training frequency was equal to two weekly sessions lasting one hour each. Flexibility evaluation tool was the sit and reach test, which was applied in the beginning, three months and six months after intervention. RESULTS: Sample was made up of 29 females (age: 48.6±10.3 years) diagnosed with fibromyalgia. No significant changes in flexibility were observed after three months of intervention. ANOVA one-way has shown significant improvement (p<0.05) from beginning of intervention to completion (Δ=22.77%). CONCLUSION: Six months intervention with supervised physical exercises may improve flexibility levels of fibromyalgia females.