title: Aquatic training and detraining on fitness and quality of life in fibromyalgia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of a 12-wk period of aquatic training and subsequent detraining on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and physical fitness in females with fibromyalgia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-four females with fibromyalgia were randomly assigned into two groups: an exercise group, who exercised for 60 min in warm water, three times a week (N = 17); and a control group, who continued their habitual leisure-time activities (N = 17). HRQOL was assessed using the Short Form 36 questionnaire and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire. Physical fitness was measured using the following tests: Canadian Aerobic Fitness, hand grip dynamometry, 10-m walking, 10-step stair climbing, and blind one-leg stance. Outcomes were measured at baseline, after treatment, and after 3 months of detraining.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 12 wk of aquatic exercise, significant positive effects of aquatic training were found in physical function, body pain, general health perception, vitality, social function, role emotional problems and mental health, balance, and stair climbing. After the detraining period, only the improvements in body pain and role emotional problems were maintained.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present water exercise protocol improved some components of HRQOL, balance, and stair climbing in females with fibromyalgia, but regular exercise and higher intensities may be required to preserve most of these gains.
authors.affiliation: Fitness and Lifequality Laboratory, Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tomas-Carus
authors.forename: Arja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Häkkinen
authors.forename: Narcis
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gusi
authors.forename: Alejo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leal
authors.forename: Keijo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Häkkinen
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ortega-Alonso
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006875:Hydrotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires