Keywords
Aerobic training
Fibromyalgia
Musculoskeletal pain
Pain
How to Cite
Copyright © | All rights reserved.
The journal holds the exclusive copyright for the publication of this article under the terms of Brazilian law 9610/98.
Partial reproduction
The use of parts of the texts, figures and questionnaire of the article is free, being mandatory the citation of the authors and journal.
Total reproduction
It is expressly prohibited and must be authorized by the journal.
Abstract
Objective: To analyze the effects of resistance and aerobic exercise on pain reduction in individuals with fibromyalgia, identifying which modality is more effective. Methods: An integrative literature review was conducted between February and March 2024. The search was carried out in electronic databases, considering full-text studies published between 2018 and 2023, in Portuguese or English, that addressed resistance and/or aerobic exercise in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Duplicated articles, case reports, editorials, and studies that used other therapeutic approaches were excluded. Results: The included studies showed that both resistance and aerobic exercise are effective in reducing pain in individuals with fibromyalgia. Some studies pointed to equivalence between the two modalities, while one meta-analysis highlighted greater efficacy of aerobic exercise compared to resistance training. Final considerations: It can be considered that both types of exercise promote pain reduction in individuals with fibromyalgia. However, aerobic exercise, compared to resistance training, demonstrated a greater effect on a composite outcome including pain, fatigue, physical function, and well-being, as observed in a meta-analysis.
References
ALBUQUERQUE MLL, et al. Effects of different protocols of physical exercise on fibromyalgia syndrome treatment: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Rheumatology International, 2022; 42(11): 1893–1908.
ANDERSSON UM, et al. Women with fibromyalgia prefer resistance exercise with heavy loads—a randomized crossover pilot study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021; 18(12): 6276.
ANDRADE A, et al. O treinamento resistido reduz a dor em mulheres com fibromialgia. Acta Fisiátrica, 2021; 28(4): 238–244.
ANDRADE A, et al. What we already know about the effects of exercise in patients with fibromyalgia: An umbrella review. Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism, 2020; 50(6): 1465–1480.
ARAÚJO FM, et al. Physical therapy modalities for treating fibromyalgia. F1000Research, 2019; 8: 2030.
ASSUMPÇÃO A, et al. Muscle stretching exercises and resistance training in fibromyalgia: which is better? A three-arm randomized controlled trial. European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 2018; 54(5).
BERARDI G, et al. Impact of isometric and concentric resistance exercise on pain and fatigue in fibromyalgia. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 2021; 121: 1389–1404.
BHARGAVA J e GOLDIN J. Fibromyalgia. StatPearls, 2025.
BIDONDE J, et al. Mixed exercise training for adults with fibromyalgia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2019; 5.
BULHÕES LCC, et al. Efeito do treinamento resistido na redução da dor no tratamento de mulheres com fibromialgia: revisão sistemática. Revista Brasileira de Ciência e Movimento, 2018; 26(2): 170–175.
CHEN J, et al. On the superiority of a combination of aerobic and resistance exercise for fibromyalgia syndrome: A network meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 2022; 13.
COUTO N, et al. Effect of different types of exercise in adult subjects with fibromyalgia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials. Scientific Reports, 2022; 12(1): 10391.
GOMES MBC, et al. Efeitos do exercício resistido e do exercício aeróbico em pessoas com síndrome de fibromialgia: uma revisão sistemática de ensaios clínicos randomizados. ABCS Health Sciences, 2022; 47: 22302.
IZQUIERDO-ALVENTOSA R, et al. Low-Intensity Physical Exercise Improves Pain Catastrophizing and Other Psychological and Physical Aspects in Women with Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Controlled Trial. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020; 17(10): 3634.
KOCYIGIT BF e AKYOL A. Fibromyalgia syndrome: epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment. Reumatologia, 2022; 60(6): 413–421.
KOLAK E, et al. Effects of different types of exercises on pain, quality of life, depression, and body composition in women with fibromyalgia: A three-arm, parallel-group, randomized trial. Archives of Rheumatology, 2022; 37(3): 444–455.
MASQUELIER E e D'HAEYERE J. Physical activity in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Joint Bone Spine, 2021; 88(5): 105202.
SBR. SOCIEDADE BRASILEIRA DE REUMATOLOGIA. Fibromialgia. 2017. Disponível em: https ://www.reumatol ogia.org.br/doencas-reumaticas/fibromialgia-e-doencas-articulares-inflamatorias/. Acessado em: 18 de abril de 2025.
SILVA JM, et al. Dosage of resistance exercises in fibromyalgia: evidence synthesis for a systematic literature review up-date and meta-analysis. Rheumatology International, 2022; 42(3): 413–429.
SOSA-REINA MD, et al. Effectiveness of Therapeutic Exercise in Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. BioMed Research International, 2017; 2017: 2356346.
SOUZA JB e PERISSINOTTI DMN. The prevalence of fibromyalgia in Brazil – a population-based study with secondary data of the study on chronic pain prevalence in Brazil. BrJP, 2018; 1: 345–348.
SOUZA MT, et al. Revisão integrativa: o que é e como fazer. einstein (São Paulo), 2010; 8: 102–106.
STENSSON N, et al. Increased Anandamide and Decreased Pain and Depression after Exercise in Fibromyalgia. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 2020; 52(7): 1617.
VILARINO GT, et al. Effects of resistance training on the physical symptoms and functional capacity of patients with fibromyalgia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971), 2023; 192(4): 2001–2014.
WÅHLÉN K, et al. Proteomic Investigation in Plasma from Women with Fibromyalgia in Response to a 15-wk Resistance Exercise Intervention. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 2022; 54(2): 232–246.