The effects of resistance training on women with fibromyalgia.

INTERVENTION: The resistance training intervention will include 3 blocks of exercise conditioning. Foundational strength will be developed from weeks one to four in block 1. In block 2, strength capacity is developed, from weeks five to eight. In the final block weeks nine to 12, velocity conditioning is programmed. Exercise Sport Science Australia accredited academic staff will supervise the exercise sessions. Sessions will be aimed to be grouped, or will be organised as one on one sessions in the Footscray Hospital Research Building. Two (60 minute) sessions a week over the 12 weeks is programmed for the intervention, with 20 participants total. The exertion, fatiguability and breathlessness of participants during working sets will be measured using the Borg scale (1‐10) rate of perceived exertion, aiming to remain at or below a score of 5/10 (hard). Exercises will progress from seated cable resistance machines to free weighs, and is dependent on individual preferences and capabilities. Exercises intensity will be cued to be explosive on the concentric phase and slow (a count of minimum 2 seconds tempo) on the eccentric phase. Repetitions in reserve will be used to monitor auto‐regulation of each exercise session, completing each set with a minimum of two repetitions in reserve. This is a strategy for adherence in this population, and will also use attendance lists and reminder notifications via text. Where participants did not attend exercise sessions, they will be required to attend the total 24 sessions within two weeks of the original trial completion date, failure to do so means participants will be considered not have met the adherence requirements of the study. After the 12 weeks, participants will either undergo post‐ intervention testing and cross‐over into the sy CONDITION: Fibromyalgia; ; Fibromyalgia Inflammatory and Immune System ‐ Connective tissue diseases Physical Medicine / Rehabilitation ‐ Other physical medicine / rehabilitation PRIMARY OUTCOME: Pain will be measured as a composite of total pain reported by participants.[Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, widespread pain index and symptom severity scale. Chronic pain acceptance questionnaire including the visual analogue score for pain 1‐10 scale before and after each exercise session (24 sessions). Pain survey outcomes will be collected in weeks 0, 6, 13, 19, and 26. The primary timepoint for pain outcomes is the testing following the 12 week intervention (either week 13 or 26).; ] Strength will be assessed as a composite of outcomes, the 3 repetition maximum strength test (3RM), hand grip dynamometer strength, and speed of movement velocity.[Estimated maximal force strength will be assessed with the 3RM methods, and actual maximal force strength measured with the hand grip strength with the dynamometer. Movement speed will be assessed with linear transducer technology (GymAware). All out comes will be assessed together to determine outcomes in strength and movement velocity. Testing will be the same for both groups. At week 0 (baseline), week 6*, week 13, week 19* and week 26. The primary timepoint for strength outcomes is at the end of the 12 week intervention for both groups, either week 13 or 26.; *hand grip strength dynamometer testing is the only strength measure for weeks 6 and 19. ; ] INCLUSION CRITERIA: INCLUSION CRITERIA: • Women who self‐report to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia •Aged between 18‐45 years SECONDARY OUTCOME: Body composition, (lean muscle mass with Dual‐energy X‐ray Absorptiometry (DXA) and ultrasound).[DXA and skeletal muscle ultrasound Body composition will be measures at week 0 (baseline), week 13 and week 26 .]