Fibromyalgia is a disease characterized by diffuse and chronic musculoskeletal pain, which negatively affects multiple functional activities. There is evidence that women with fibromyalgia remain most of their waking time under sedentary behavior and reduced motor activity. Monitoring these variables in people with fibromyalgia becomes relevant because physical activity level and sitting time can be associated with perceived health.

To assess the physical activity level, sitting time, and health perception in adult women with and without fibromyalgia.

The casuistry consisted of women aged between 18 and 50 years old with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia (fibromyalgia group, FG, n=22) or without fibromyalgia or another painful fibromyalgia condition (control group, CG, n=19). The short version of the International Physical, Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to assess physical activity level, sitting time and health perception. Statistical analysis: Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney test, Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, a significance level of 5%.

The groups were homogeneous regarding age (FG, 37.5±7.6; CG, 34.5±6.6 years, p=0.182). There was no difference between groups for sitting time (FG, 438±196; CG, 322±208 min/day; p=0.074); the total energy expenditure with physical activity practice per week was greater in FG than in CG (FG, 1429±1491; CG, 2010 ±3431 MET-minutes/week; p=0.036). In the FG group, there was a predominance of participants with a moderate level of physical activity (45.5%, n=10), while in the CG the highest proportion was of a high level of physical activity (56.2%, n=10), but there was no significant difference for these proportions (p=0.177). Furthermore, in FG (59.1%, n=13), the proportion of participants who reported poor-fair health perception was higher than in CG (5.3%; p<0.001).

Adult women with fibromyalgia have lower energy expenditure related to the physical activity practice and worse health perception than women without fibromyalgia.

The results may contribute to developing strategies to encourage regular physical activity, reducing the adverse health effects associated with a sedentary lifestyle in people with fibromyalgia.