Introduction:
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic disease that causes pain and fatigue, presenting a negative impact on quality of life. Exercise helps maintaining physical fitness and influences directly on the improvement of quality of life.
Objective:
Develop a protocol for health-related physical fitness assessment of patients with FMS with tests that are feasible and appropriate for this population.
Method:
An exploratory and analytical literature review was performed, seeking to determine the tests used by the scientific community. With this in mind, we performed a literature revision through the use of virtual libraries databases: PubMed, Bireme, Banco de Teses e Dissertações da Capes and Biblioteca Digital Brasileira de Teses e Dissertações, published in between 1992-2012.
Results:
A variety of tests was found; the following, by number of citations, stood out: Body Mass Index (BMI) and bioimpedance; 6-minute walk; handgrip strength (dynamometer, 1RM [Repetition Maximum]); Sit and reach and Shoulder flexibility; Foot Up and Go, and Flamingo balance.
Conclusion:
These are the tests that should make up the protocol for the physical evaluation of FMS patients, emphasizing their ease of use.
Fibromyalgia; Protocol; Physical assessment