EFFECTS OF RESISTANCE TRAINING ON PAIN AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN WOMEN WITH FIBROMYALGIA: AN INTEGRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63330/sasciencesv6n2-264Keywords:
Fibromyalgia, Pain, Physical Exercise, Quality of Life, Resistance TrainingAbstract
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and impaired quality of life, predominantly affecting women. In this context, resistance training represents a non-pharmacological alternative for symptom management and functional improvement. This study aimed to analyze the effects of resistance training on pain intensity and quality of life in adult women with fibromyalgia. An integrative literature review was conducted using the PubMed/MEDLINE, Virtual Health Library (VHL), and SciELO databases, considering studies published between 2022 and 2026. A total of 151 records were identified, of which eight articles met the eligibility criteria and were included in the final sample. The findings demonstrated that pain intensity reduction was the most frequently reported outcome, accompanied by improvements in quality of life, functional capacity, muscle strength, sleep quality, and fibromyalgia impact. Interventions lasted between eight and 24 weeks, predominantly involving two to three weekly sessions. However, differences among training protocols were observed, along with a lack of consistent superiority of resistance training compared with other exercise modalities. Methodological heterogeneity and the inclusion of combined interventions limited the identification of effects exclusively attributable to resistance training. It is concluded that resistance training represents a promising strategy for managing fibromyalgia in women, particularly for pain control and quality of life improvement. Nevertheless, individualized exercise prescription remains essential, and further studies are needed to establish more precise training parameters and determine the most effective intervention protocols for this population.
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