Objectives: To compare muscle performance in women with fibromyalgia and in healthy women.
Patients and methods: Sixteen women with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and 85 healthy women who were physically inactive or engaged in recreational sports underwent measurements of four parameters: maximal concentric isokinetic muscle strength of the knee extensors and flexors in the dominant limb, isometric grip strength on a Colin dynamometer, muscle fatigue resistance during 30 maximal concentric isokinetic contractions of the dominant knee flexors and extensors at 180 degrees angular velocity, and static endurance during posture maintenance.
Results: All muscle variables were decreased in the FMS patients as compared to the controls. The decreases were more marked during aerobic than during anaerobic exercise. Mean decreases were 39% (P<0.001) for muscle strength, 40% (P<0.0001) for fatigue resistance, and 81% (P<0.0001) for static endurance. Pain during exercise as evaluated using a visual analog scale was more marked in the FMS patients.
Conclusion: This study of the three pathways supplying energy to muscle confirms that muscle function is globally impaired in FMS patients. The results suggest that the impairment predominates on aerobic processes.