The Association between Exercise Enjoyment and Physical Activity in Women with Fibromyalgia

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, R(2)=0.37, p<0.01) and the minutes spent for moderate intensity PA (rs=0.48, R(2)=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.

Predictors of Physical Activity in Patients With Fibromyalgia

“…Termed the “intention-behavior gap,” 32 this phenomenon presents a significant challenge for researchers and clinicians and underscores the need to examine not only variables that can predict behavior change, but additional variables that may explain why these well-studied predictors do not result in change for all participants, all the time. For intention, some of these additional variables might be intrapersonal such as behavioral control, 7 past behavior, 33 and enjoyment of exercise, 34 or broader, such as the built environment 35 . It is also important to note that intention is measured on a continuum.…”

The role of physical activity enjoyment on the acute mood experience of exercise among smokers with elevated depressive symptoms

“…Indeed, data non-specific to smokers indicate that self-reported physical activity enjoyment is cross-sectionally positively correlated with level of physical activity engagement (Cleland et al, 2010; Hagberg et al, 2009; Rech et al, 2014; Salmon et al, 2003; Umeda et al, 2014) and prospectively associated with greater exercise program adherence and long-term maintenance of physical activity (Crain et al, 2010; Dishman et al, 2014; Herens et al, 2016; Lewis et al, 2016; Williams et al, 2006). Self-report of physical activity enjoyment also predicts acute increases in positive mood and decreases in negative mood from pre- to post- exercise (Miller et al, 2005; Motl et al, 2000) and mediates the exercise-mood relationship (Miller et al, 2005; Motl et al, 2000).…”

Play-based interventions improve physical function for people with adult-acquired brain injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

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