Abstract
Evidence suggests the role of physical activity (PA) in management of clinical symptoms
of fibromyalgia. However, very little is known regarding the psychological correlates
of PA in patients with fibromyalgia. Therefore, this study examined the association
between exercise enjoyment (EE) and PA in women with fibromyalgia. 19 women with fibromyalgia
completed a laboratory session, where EE was assessed using a self-report questionnaire
immediately after 20 min of light-intensity biking. Muscle pain ratings (MPR) in the
legs were assessed during exercise, and changes in clinical pain intensity after exercise
were computed. PA was assessed subjectively using a self-report questionnaire and
objectively using an accelerometer for one week. Results from correlation analyses
indicated that EE was associated with the self-reported amount of PA (rs=0.61, R2=0.37, p<0.01) and the minutes spent for moderate intensity PA (rs=0.48, R2=0.23, p<0.05). However, neither MPR nor changes in clinical pain intensity were associated
with PA. These results suggest that EE may serve as a determinant of PA in women with
fibromyalgia. Future research is needed to develop interventions to maximize EE to
promote PA in this clinical population.
Key words
exercise responses - muscle pain - physical activity determinant - chronic pain
