Muscle performance in patients with fibromyalgia.
OBJECTIVE
To compare muscle performance in women with fibromyalgia and in healthy women.


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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Maquet
Didier
D
Faculté de Médecine, Université de Liège, Médecine de l'Appareil Locomoteur, CHU Sart Tilman, Belgium.
Croisier
Jean-Louis
JL
Renard
Cindy
C
Crielaard
Jean-Michel
JM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D018763:Muscle Fatigue / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology