Intensity of Resistance Exercise and Its Effects on Pain, Functionality, and Quality of Life in Adults with Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Review

Background: Fibromyalgia is a chronic rheumatological disease that affects the musculoskeletal system, primarily characterized by widespread chronic pain and other symptoms that significantly impact the quality of life of those who suffer from it, being more prevalent in the female population. In th...

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Main Authors: Kevin Paúl Guachizaca Moreno, Lucía Fernanda Flores-Santy, Israel Vinueza Fernández
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/10/2/121
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author Kevin Paúl Guachizaca Moreno
Lucía Fernanda Flores-Santy
Israel Vinueza Fernández
author_facet Kevin Paúl Guachizaca Moreno
Lucía Fernanda Flores-Santy
Israel Vinueza Fernández
author_sort Kevin Paúl Guachizaca Moreno
collection DOAJ
description Background: Fibromyalgia is a chronic rheumatological disease that affects the musculoskeletal system, primarily characterized by widespread chronic pain and other symptoms that significantly impact the quality of life of those who suffer from it, being more prevalent in the female population. In this context, among the non-pharmacological treatments available for this condition, resistance exercise has shown to be a promising intervention. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the optimal intensity of resistance exercise in patients with fibromyalgia and evaluate its effects and benefits. Methods: An exhaustive literature search was carried out in the PubMed, Scopus, SciELO, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and PEDro databases. After the selection process, from the 405 studies initially identified, 17 met the established inclusion criteria. Subsequently, the methodological quality of the studies was evaluated using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool. Results: From the 405 studies initially identified, 17 met the established inclusion criteria. The results indicate that among the interventions studied, progressive intensity is the most recommended, where it is suggested to start with 40% of 1RM. This is followed, in order of recommendation, by low- and medium-intensity exercises, while high-intensity exercises are, in principle, the least used. Furthermore, the analysis of the effects of progressive intensity exercise showed promising results, including a significant decrease in pain, an increase in physical functionality, and, consequently, an improvement in quality of life. Conclusions: These findings suggest that progressive resistance exercise is an effective intervention for treating patients with fibromyalgia.
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spelling doaj-art-53bba1fa8d8b43149f37fb984dac48632025-08-20T03:27:25ZengMDPI AGJournal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology2411-51422025-04-0110212110.3390/jfmk10020121Intensity of Resistance Exercise and Its Effects on Pain, Functionality, and Quality of Life in Adults with Fibromyalgia: A Systematic ReviewKevin Paúl Guachizaca Moreno0Lucía Fernanda Flores-Santy1Israel Vinueza Fernández2School of Physical Therapy, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito 170143, EcuadorMOVS Research Group, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito 170143, EcuadorResearch Center for Health in Latin America (CISeAL), School of Physical Therapy, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito 170143, EcuadorBackground: Fibromyalgia is a chronic rheumatological disease that affects the musculoskeletal system, primarily characterized by widespread chronic pain and other symptoms that significantly impact the quality of life of those who suffer from it, being more prevalent in the female population. In this context, among the non-pharmacological treatments available for this condition, resistance exercise has shown to be a promising intervention. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the optimal intensity of resistance exercise in patients with fibromyalgia and evaluate its effects and benefits. Methods: An exhaustive literature search was carried out in the PubMed, Scopus, SciELO, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and PEDro databases. After the selection process, from the 405 studies initially identified, 17 met the established inclusion criteria. Subsequently, the methodological quality of the studies was evaluated using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool. Results: From the 405 studies initially identified, 17 met the established inclusion criteria. The results indicate that among the interventions studied, progressive intensity is the most recommended, where it is suggested to start with 40% of 1RM. This is followed, in order of recommendation, by low- and medium-intensity exercises, while high-intensity exercises are, in principle, the least used. Furthermore, the analysis of the effects of progressive intensity exercise showed promising results, including a significant decrease in pain, an increase in physical functionality, and, consequently, an improvement in quality of life. Conclusions: These findings suggest that progressive resistance exercise is an effective intervention for treating patients with fibromyalgia.https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/10/2/121fibromyalgiaexerciseresistance trainingpainquality of life
spellingShingle Kevin Paúl Guachizaca Moreno
Lucía Fernanda Flores-Santy
Israel Vinueza Fernández
Intensity of Resistance Exercise and Its Effects on Pain, Functionality, and Quality of Life in Adults with Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Review
Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
fibromyalgia
exercise
resistance training
pain
quality of life
title Intensity of Resistance Exercise and Its Effects on Pain, Functionality, and Quality of Life in Adults with Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Review
title_full Intensity of Resistance Exercise and Its Effects on Pain, Functionality, and Quality of Life in Adults with Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Review
title_fullStr Intensity of Resistance Exercise and Its Effects on Pain, Functionality, and Quality of Life in Adults with Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Review
title_full_unstemmed Intensity of Resistance Exercise and Its Effects on Pain, Functionality, and Quality of Life in Adults with Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Review
title_short Intensity of Resistance Exercise and Its Effects on Pain, Functionality, and Quality of Life in Adults with Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Review
title_sort intensity of resistance exercise and its effects on pain functionality and quality of life in adults with fibromyalgia a systematic review
topic fibromyalgia
exercise
resistance training
pain
quality of life
url https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/10/2/121
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