Impact of a maximal exercise test on symptoms and activity in chronic fatigue syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the effects of exercise on symptoms and activity in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).


METHODS
Twenty CFS patients and 20 neighborhood controls performed an incremental exercise test until exhaustion. Fatigue, muscle pain, minutes spent resting, and the level of physical activity were assessed with a self-observation list. Physical activity was assessed with an actometer as well. Data were obtained 3 days before the maximal exercise test (MET) up to 5 days thereafter.


RESULTS
For CFS patients, daily observed fatigue was increased up to 2 days after the exercise test. For controls, self-observed fatigue returned to baseline after 2 h. Both CFS patients and controls spent more minutes resting on the day before and on the day after the MET. For CFS patients, self-observed minutes resting increased on the day of the exercise test. For neither group, a decrease of actometer recorded or self-observed physical activity after exercise was found.


CONCLUSIONS
Fatigue in CFS patients increased after exercise, but the level of actual physical activity remained unchanged.
Bazelmans
Ellen
E
Department of Medical Psychology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands. e.bazelmans@mps.umcn.nl
Bleijenberg
Gijs
G
Voeten
Marinus J M
MJ
van der Meer
Jos W M
JW
Folgering
Hans
H
D000328:Adult; D015444:Exercise; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors