Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume 86, Issue 9 , Pages 1713-1721, September 2005

The Effects of a 12-Week Strength-Training Program on Strength and Functionality in Women With Fibromyalgia

Presented in part to the American College of Sport Medicine’s Southeast Regional Meeting, January 2004, Atlanta, GA.

  • J. Derek Kingsley, MS

      Affiliations

    • Department of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
    • ,
  • Lynn B. Panton, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorrespondence to Lynn B. Panton, PhD, Dept of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences, 436 Sandels Bldg, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, Reprints are not available from the author
    • ,
  • Tonya Toole, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
    • ,
  • Prawee Sirithienthad, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
    • ,
  • Reed Mathis, DC

      Affiliations

    • Mathis Chiropractic, Tallahassee, FL
    • ,
  • Victor McMillan, MD

      Affiliations

    • McIntosh Clinic, Thomasville, GA

Abstract 

Kingsley JD, Panton LB, Toole T, Sirithienthad P, Mathis R, McMillan V. The effects of a 12-week strength-training program on strength and functionality in women with fibromyalgia.

Objective

To determine whether women with fibromyalgia benefit from strength training.

Design

Randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Testing was completed at the university and training was completed at a local community wellness facility.

Participants

Twenty-nine women (age range, 18–54y) with fibromyalgia participated. Subjects were randomly assigned to a control (n=14; wait-listed for exercise) or strength (n=15) group. After the first 4 weeks, 7 (47%) women dropped from the strength group.

Intervention

Subjects underwent 12 weeks of training on 11 exercises, 2 times a week, performing 1 set of 8 to 12 repetitions at 40% to 60% of their maximal lifts and were progressed to 60% to 80%.

Main Outcome Measures

Subjects were measured for strength, functionality, tender point sensitivity, and fibromyalgia impact.

Results

The strength group significantly (P≤.05) improved upper- (strength, 39±11 to 42±12kg; control, 38±13 to 38±12kg) and lower- (strength, 68±28 to 82±25kg; control, 61±25 to 61±26kg) body strength. Upper-body functionality measured by the Continuous-Scale Physical Functional Performance test improved significantly (strength, 44±11 to 50±16U; control, 51±11 to 49±13U) after training. Tender point sensitivity and fibromyalgia impact did not change.

Conclusions

Strength training improved strength and some functionality in women with fibromyalgia. Interventions with resistance have important implications on independence and quality of life issues for women with fibromyalgia.

Key Words:  Activities of daily living , Body composition , Fibromyalgia , Rehabilitation

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 Supported by Florida State University Council for Faculty Research–First Year Assistant Professor Program and supported in kind by the Tallahassee Communicare Wellness Center.No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this article has or will confer a benefit upon the author(s) or upon any organization with which the author(s) is/are associated.

PII: S0003-9993(05)00410-7

doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2005.04.014

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume 86, Issue 9 , Pages 1713-1721, September 2005

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