Objectively measured sedentary time and physical activity in women with fibromyalgia: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives

To characterise levels of objectively measured sedentary time and physical activity in women with fibromyalgia.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Local Association of Fibromyalgia (Granada, Spain).

Participants

The study comprised 94 women with diagnosed fibromyalgia who did not have other severe somatic or psychiatric disorders, or other diseases that prevent physical loading, able to ambulate and to communicate and capable and willing to provide informed consent.

Primary outcome measures

Sedentary time and physical activity were measured by accelerometry and expressed as time spent in sedentary behaviours, average physical activity intensity (counts/minute) and amount of time (minutes/day) spent in moderate intensity and in moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA).

Results

The proportion of women meeting the physical activity recommendations of 30 min/day of MVPA on 5 or more days a week was 60.6%. Women spent, on average, 71% of their waking time (approximately 10 h/day) in sedentary behaviours. Both sedentary behaviour and physical activity levels were similar across age groups, waist circumference and percentage body fat categories, years since clinical diagnosis, marital status, educational level and occupational status, regardless of the severity of the disease (all p>0.1). Time spent on moderate-intensity physical activity and MVPA was, however, lower in those with greater body mass index (BMI) (−6.6 min and −7 min, respectively, per BMI category increase, <25, 25–30, >30 kg/m²; p values for trend were 0.056 and 0.051, respectively). Women spent, on average, 10 min less on MVPA (p<0.001) and 22 min less on sedentary behaviours during weekends compared with weekdays (p=0.051).

Conclusions

These data provide an objective measure of the amount of time spent on sedentary activities and on physical activity in women with fibromyalgia.

Article summary.

Article focus

• To characterise the levels of objectively measured sedentary time and physical activity (using accelerometry) in women with fibromyalgia.

• To provide estimates of the adherence to recommended levels of physical activity assessed by accelerometry (30 min of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity on 5 of 7 days).

Key messages

• Over 60% of women with fibromyalgia meet the physical activity recommendations, that is, 30 min/day of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity on 5 or more days a week.

• These women spent about 71% (approximately 10 h/day) of their waking time on activities that expend little energy.

• Women with fibromyalgia spent, on average, 10 min less of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity and 22 min less of sedentary behaviours during weekends compared with weekdays.

Strengths and limitations of this study

• Strict standardisation of the methodology used to measure physical activity and the fact that all women were compliant with the measurement procedures is one of its strengths.

• All women had 7 valid days with at least 10 h of registered time during waking hours.

• To avoid any kind of immediate reactivity, we removed from the analysis the first day of monitoring.

• The cross-sectional design of our study, however, does not allow us to establish any causal relationships. The sample is one of convenience, which includes the known limitations of all non-probability samples.

• The accelerometer underestimates physical activities that involve upper body movement, as well as those with minimal vertical displacement such as cycling, water-based activities such as swimming. Moreover, it does not capture well the extra energy cost of load-bearing activities such as walking while carrying a backpack.

Introduction

Fibromyalgia is a pain regulation-related disorder.¹ Patients usually present an increased sensitivity to painful stimuli (hyperalgesia) and lowered pain threshold (allodynia). In addition to pain, fibromyalgia symptoms typically include severe fatigue, sleep disturbances, paraesthesia of the extremities, depression, anxiety, joint stiffness and memory and cognitive difficulties.^{1 2} Fibromyalgia is becoming a common syndrome in Western European countries, and estimates indicate a point prevalence of 2.9%, which translates to approximately six million people with fibromyalgia.³

There is increasing evidence about the potential benefits of regular physical activity on fibromyalgia-related symptoms,^4–7 and international organisations support the use of physical activity-based interventions as a complementary tool in the therapeutic armamentarium against fibromyalgia.⁸ Physical inactivity is one of the major public health problems of the 21st century,⁹ and several longitudinal studies have shown the negative consequences on health through a sedentary lifestyle.^{10 11}

The average amount of daily sedentary time as well as physical activity in women with fibromyalgia is unknown, and the available information is mainly questionnaire based.^12–16 However, physical activities are difficult to recall, quantify and categorise,¹⁷ and it might be even more complex in people with memory and cognitive difficulties such as fibromyalgia patients.¹⁴ Given the limitations of self-report methods, accelerometry (ie, movement sensors) has become the method of choice for objectively measuring physical activity in free-living conditions.¹⁸ To have an objective diagnosis of sedentary time as well as of the physical activity levels in patients with fibromyalgia is in the interest of public health and of clinical interest, and might be informative for developing intervention studies directed towards the promotion of physical activity in women with fibromyalgia.¹⁹

The purpose of the present study was to characterise the levels of objectively measured (using accelerometry) sedentary time and physical activity among women with fibromyalgia, and to provide estimates of the adherence to recommended levels of physical activity (30 min of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) on 5 of 7 days).^{20 21}

Material and methods

Study participants

We sent a formal invitation to participate in the study to all members (n=400) of a Local Association of Fibromyalgia (Granada, Spain). A total of 116 patients responded (response rate 29%), and gave their written informed consent after receiving detailed information about the aims and study procedures. Participants were included in the study if: (1) they met the diagnosis of fibromyalgia according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria²² (widespread pain for more than 3 months, and pain with 4 kg/cm² of pressure reported for 11 or more of 18 tender points), (2) did not have other severe somatic or psychiatric disorders, or other diseases that prevent physical loading (answer ‘no’ to all questions on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire,^{23 24} (3) were able to ambulate and to communicate and (4) were capable and willing to provide informed consent. Men were not included in the study (n=6), and women with incomplete physical activity data (n=5) or technical errors in the instrument (n=11) were excluded. A final sample of 94 women with fibromyalgia participated in the study. Age, weight and height and fibromyalgia severity (assessed by the fibromyalgia impact questionnaire, FIQ)^{25 26} were similar between the included and excluded participants (all p>0.1). The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of the Hospital Virgen de las Nieves (Granada, Spain). The STROBE guidelines were followed during the course of the research.²⁷

Measurements

Women were interviewed in the Association of Fibromyalgia (Granada, Spain). They were asked to wear an accelerometer (Actigraph GT1M, Pensacola, Florida, USA) for nine consecutive days starting the same day they received the monitor. The accelerometer was carried over the whole day (24 h) except during water-based activities such as bathing or swimming. Accelerometers were initialised as described by the manufacturer, and data were recorded in 5 s epochs. Women wore the device on the lower back, secured with an elastic belt, underneath clothing, near to the centre of gravity. The data were downloaded onto a computer using the manufacturer software. Data reduction, cleaning and analyses were performed using the MAHUffe program (see http://www.mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk/Research/Programmes/Programme_5/InDepth/Programme%205_Downloads.html).

Monitor wearing time was calculated by subtracting the sleeping reported time (recorded through a diary) from the total registered time for the entire day (ie, 1440 min). Bouts of 60 continuous minutes of 0 activity intensity counts were also excluded from the analysis, considering these periods as non-wearing time.²⁸ There was no allowance for any minute with counts between 0 and 100 in the non-wear periods. A recording of more than 20 000 counts/min (cpm) was considered as a potential malfunction of the accelerometer and the value was excluded from the analyses.^{28 29} The first and last days of recording were not included in the analysis. A total of 7 days (full week) of recording with a minimum of 10 or more hours of registration per day was necessary to be included in the study analysis.

Sedentary time was estimated as the amount of time accumulated below 100 cpm during periods of wear time.³⁰ Time spent being sedentary was expressed as total duration (hours/day). Physical activity levels were estimated as follows: (1) average physical activity intensity was expressed as mean cpm, and is a measure of overall physical activity. We calculated mean cpm as the sum of total counts per day divided by the number of minutes of wear time in that day, finally calculating the average of all valid days (n=7). (2) Time engaged in moderate physical activity. We calculated the time engaged in moderate-intensity physical activity based on a standardised cut-off of 1952–5724 cpm,^{29 31} where 1952 cpm corresponds to walking at 4 km/h.³¹ (3) We also calculated the time engaged in MVPA as the amount of time accumulated ≥1952 cpm. Sedentary time, as well as the study physical activity variables, was calculated for weekdays and weekends. We calculated the proportion of women meeting the physical activity recommendations, that is, 30 min/day of MVPA at least 5 of 7 days.^{20 21}

Weight and height were measured following standard procedures with a scale (InBody R20 Biospace, Gateshead, UK) and a stadiometer (Seca 22, Hamburg, Germany), respectively, and body mass index (BMI, weight in kg/m²) was calculated. Percentage body fat was measured with bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody R20; Biospace, Gateshead, UK). Waist circumference was measured at the level of the umbilicus with an anthropometric unelastic tape (Harpenden anthropometric tape, Holtain Ltd). Weight status groups were based on standard clinical definitions for BMI (normal weight 18.5–24.9 kg/m², overweight 25.0–29.9 kg/m², obese 30.0 kg/m² or higher); percentage body fat (normal <30%; obese ≥30%) and waist circumference (normal ≤80.0 cm; abdominal obesity >80 cm). One woman had a BMI below 18.5 kg/m² (18 kg/m²) and was included in the normal weight group.

Fibromyalgia severity was assessed with the FIQ.^{25 26} FIQ is composed of 10 subscales: physical impairment, overall well-being, work missed, job difficulty, pain, fatigue, morning tiredness, stiffness, anxiety and depression. The score of each subscale was standardised from 0 to 10. We summed the score of all items, so that the total score ranged from 0 to 100, with a higher score indicating greater severity. Women were categorised into two groups based on the FIQ total score as FIQ<70 and FIQ ≥70. These thresholds correspond to having moderate or severe fibromyalgia, respectively.³²

Statistical analysis

All statistical analyses were performed with PASW (Predictive Analytics SoftWare, V.18.0 SPSS Inc, Chicago, Illinois, USA), and the level of significance was set at α=0.05. Physical activity and sedentary outcome variables were logarithmically transformed to obtain a normal distribution.

We calculated the estimated means of sedentary time, average physical activity intensity, moderate physical activity and MVPA by age group, BMI and waist circumference categories, years since clinical diagnosis, fibromyalgia severity, marital status, educational level and occupational status, after adjusting for registered time. Linear regression analysis was conducted to examine the association of sedentary time, average physical activity intensity, moderate-intensity physical activity and MVPA (inserted as dependent variables) with age group, BMI, waist circumference and percentage body fat categories, years since clinical diagnosis, fibromyalgia severity and educational level (inserted as independent variables). Independent variables were inserted as ordinal variables. As marital status and occupational status categories were not ordinal variables, we conducted one-way analysis of covariance to determine mean differences in sedentary time and physical activity levels among marital status and occupational status categories. Separate analyses were conducted for each dependent and independent variable. Registered time was entered as a confounder in all models. Mean differences of sedentary time, physical activity, moderate physical activity and MVPA levels on weekdays (Monday–Friday) versus the weekend (Saturday and Sunday) were estimated with one-way analysis of variance for repeated measures.

We analysed the association of meeting the physical activity recommendations (≥30 min/day of MVPA on 5 of 7 days a week) with age, waist circumference and percentage body fat, years since clinical diagnosis, fibromyalgia severity, marital status, educational level and using binary logistic regression analysis. Multinomial regression analysis was conducted to examine the association of meeting the physical activity recommendations with BMI and occupational status categories.

Results

All participants had 7 valid days of registration. Mean registered time during waking time was 842±108 min/day (∼14±1.8 h). There was no significant association of sedentary time and physical activity with age group, waist circumference and percentage body fat categories, years since clinical diagnosis, fibromyalgia severity, marital status, educational level and occupational status (all p>0.1, table 1). Levels of moderate-intensity physical activity and MVPA were lower in women with greater BMI (=−6.6±3.4 and −7±3.6 min, respectively, per BMI category increase (ie, 18.5–24.9 kg/m², 25–29.9 kg/m² and ≥30 kg/m²; p values for trend were 0.056 and 0.051, respectively, table 1). Mean estimates of sedentary time and physical activity intensity levels were similar in women with FIQ <70 compared with those with FIQ ≥70 (all p>0.5, table 1). For sensitivity analyses, we explored whether the association between physical activity intensity levels and FIQ differ when a different FIQ threshold (FIQ ≥59)³³ was used, yet the findings persisted (data not shown).

Table 1.

Sedentary time and physical activity levels in women with fibromyalgia, by age group, body mass index, waist circumference and percentage body fat category, years since clinical diagnosis, fibromyalgia impact, marital status, educational level and occupational status*

	N	Sedentary (hours/day)			Average PA (counts/minutes)			Moderate PA (minutes/day)			MVPA (minutes/day)
		Mean	95% CI		Mean	95% CI		Mean	95% CI		Mean	95% CI
Age groups (years)
18–50	41	10.0	9.6	10.5	222	196	248	51	43	59	52	44	60
51–75	52	9.9	9.5	10.3	219	195	242	50	43	58	52	44	59
p Value		0.65			0.86			0.96				0.98
Body mass index† category (kg/m2)
< 25	29	10.3	9.7	10.8	229	199	260	56	47	65	58	48	67
25–30	34	9.5	9.0	10.0	235	207	263	53	44	61	54	45	63
>30	27	10.1	9.6	10.7	195	162	227	42	32	52	43	33	54
p for trend		0.63			0.14			0.056				0.051
Waist circumference category (cm)
≤80	44	10.2	9.7	10.6	233	208	257	54	47	62	56	48	64
>80	46	9.7	9.3	10.2	209	185	234	47	39	54	48	40	56
p Value		0.157			0.187			0.155				0.139
Body fat (%)
<30	13	10.6	9.8	11.4	210	164	256	48	34	63	50	35	65
≥30	76	9.8	9.5	10.2	223	204	242	51	45	57	52	46	58
p Value		0.93			0.605			0.709				0.774
Years since clinical diagnosis
≤5	47	9.9	9.5	10.3	224	200	248	53	46	61	54	47	62
>5	45	9.8	9.3	10.2	219	194	244	49	41	56	50	43	58
p Value		0.650			0.765			0.420				0.489
Fibromyalgia severity (score)‡
<70	42	9.9	9.4	10.3	226	200	251	51	43	60	53	45	61
≥70	50	10.0	9.6	10.5	215	191	238	49	42	57	50	43	58
p Value		0.632			0.546			0.725				0.636
Marital status
Married	72	9.9	9.6	10.3	217	198	237	50	43	56	51	44	57
Unmarried	22	10.0	9.4	10.7	229	194	264	54	43	65	56	44	67
p Value		0.710			0.564			0.510				0.436
Educational level
Below university degree	71	9.9	9.6	10.3	222	203	242	51	45	57	53	46	59
University degree	22	10.2	9.5	10.8	218	182	253	50	39	61	51	40	63
p Value		0.519			0.814			0.791				0.830
Occupational status
Working	29	9.8	9.3	10.3	222	196	247	51	43	59	52	44	60
Unemployed	41	10.1	9.6	10.7	236	205	266	55	45	64	57	47	66
Retired	24	10.0	9.3	10.6	197	163	232	45	34	56	46	35	57
p Value		0.619			0.107			0.187				0.159

*Estimates and p values were adjusted for registered time.

†Weight (kg)/height (m)².

‡Assessed with the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire.

Analyses were conducted with physical activity and sedentary outcome variables logarithmically transformed to obtain a normal distribution, yet crude values are presented in the table for easier interpretation.

MVPA, moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity; PA, physical activity.

The proportion of women meeting the physical activity recommendations by age group, BMI, waist circumference and percentage body fat categories, years since clinical diagnosis, fibromyalgia severity, marital status, educational level and occupational status is shown in table 2. The proportion of women meeting the physical activity recommendations was 60.6% (n=57, 95% CI 52.5% to 73.2%). The OR of meeting the physical activity recommendations were lower, yet not reaching statistical significance, in the oldest group (OR 0.542, 95% CI 0.231 to 1.237, p=0.160), in those with a high waist circumference (OR 0.556, 95% CI 0.235 to 1.312, p=0.180) and in those diagnosed with fibromyalgia more than 5 years ago (OR 0.485, 95% CI 0.206 to 1.142, p=0.098; table 3). The OR of meeting the physical activity recommendations was higher, yet not reaching statistical significance, in the normal-weight (BMI<25 kg/m²) and in the overweight (BMI=25–30 kg/m²) groups compared with the obese peers (OR 2.046, 95% CI 0.698 to 5.997, p=0.192; OR 2.252, 95% CI 0.794 to 6.385, p=0.127; table 4). Unemployed women also had higher OR of meeting the recommendations (OR 2.545, 95% CI 0.902 to 7.187, p=0.078). The OR of meeting the physical activity recommendations was lower in women with FIQ≥70 (OR 0.690, 95% CI 0.294 to 1.620, p=0.395). The findings persisted when another suggested FIQ threshold (>59 vs ≥59) was used³³ (data not shown). Women spent, on average, 71% of their waking time (approximately 10 h/day) in sedentary behaviours. The results did not change after adjusting for registered time (data not shown).

Table 2.

Prevalence of meeting the physical activity recommendations (30 min/day of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity) on at least 5 days/week

	N	Per cent	95% CI		Frequency
Age groups (years)
18–50	41	68.3	51.9	81.9	28
51–75	52	53.8	39.5	67.8	28
Body mass index category (kg/m2)
<25	29	65.5	45.7	82.1	19
25–30	34	67.6	49.5	82.6	23
>30	27	48.1	28.7	68.1	13
Waist circumference category (cm)
≤80	44	68.2	52.4	81.4	30
>80	46	54.3	39.0	69.1	25
Body fat (%)
<30	13	61.5	31.6	86.1	8
≥30	76	61.8	50.0	72.8	47
Years since clinical diagnosis
≤5	47	70.2	55.1	82.7	33
>5	45	53.3	37.9	68.3	24
Fibromyalgia severity (score)*
<70	42	66.7	50.5	80.4	28
≥70	50	58	43.2	71.8	29
Marital status
Married	72	61.1	48.9	72.4	44
Unmarried	22	59.1	36.4	79.3	13
Educational level
Below university degree	71	62.0	49.7	73.2	44
University degree	22	59.1	0.0	0.0	13
Occupational status
Working	29	62.1	42.3	79.3	18
Unemployed	41	68.3	51.9	81.9	28
Retired	24	45.8	25.6	67.2	11
All	94	60.6	52.5	73.2	57

*Assessed with the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire.

Table 3.

OR and 95% CI of meeting the physical activity recommendations (30 min/day of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity, 5 of 7 days) by age group, body mass index, waist circumference and percentage body fat category, years since clinical diagnosis, marital status, educational level and occupational status

	OR	95% CI		p Value
Age groups (years)
18–50	Ref.
51–75	0.542	0.231	1.273	0.160
Body mass index category (kg/m2)
>30	Ref.
25–30	2.252	0.794	6.385	0.127
<25	2.046	0.698	5.997	0.192
Waist circumference category (cm)
≤80	Ref.
>80	0.556	0.235	1.312	0.180
Body fat category (%)
<30	Ref.
≥30	0.987	0.297	3.309	0.983
Years since clinical diagnosis
≤5	Ref.
>5	0.485	0.206	1.142	0.098
Fibromyalgia severity (score)*
<70	Ref.
≥70	0.690	0.294	1.620	0.395
Marital status
Married	Ref.
Unmarried	0.919	0.347	2.432	0.865
Educational level
Below university degree	Ref.
University degree	0.886	0.334	2.351	0.809
Occupational status
Retired	Ref.
Unemployed	2.545	0.902	7.187	0.078
Working	1.934	0.645	5.803	0.239

*Assessed with the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire.

Ref., reference group.

Table 4.

Sedentary time and physical activity levels during weekdays (Monday–Friday) and during weekends (Saturday and Sunday) in women with fibromyalgia

	Week		Weekend		Difference
	Mean	SD	Mean	SD	Mean	95% CI	p Value
Sedentary (hours/day)	10.0	2.2	9.6	2.5	0.4	0.0 to 0.8	0.051
Average PA (counts/minutes)	225.1	88.5	201.0	98.0	24.0	7.8 to 40.2	0.004
Moderate PA (minutes/day)	53.1	28.4	42.6	28.0	10.5	5.5 to 15.5	<0.001
MVPA (minutes/day)	54.3	29.1	43.8	29.7	10.6	5.5 to 15.6	<0.001

Analyses were conducted with physical activity and sedentary outcome variables logarithmically transformed to obtain a normal distribution, yet crude values are presented in the table for easier interpretation.

MVPA, moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity; PA, physical activity.

Sedentary time and physical activity levels during weekdays (Monday–Friday) and during the weekend (Saturday and Sunday) in women with fibromyalgia are shown in table 4. Mean levels of physical activity were lower during weekends compared with weekdays (mean difference 24 cpm, 95% CI 7.8 to 40.2, p=0.004). Likewise, registered time at moderate-intensity physical activity and MVPA was lower during weekends (mean difference 10.5 min/day, 95% CI 5.5 to 15.5, p<0.001; and 10.6 min/day, 95% CI 5.5 to 15.6, p<0.001), respectively). Mean levels of sedentary time were also lower during weekends (mean difference 22.6 min/day, 95% CI 0 to 45.3, p=0.051). Figure 1 shows the sedentary time and physical activity mean time by weekdays and weekend days.

Figure 1.

Sedentary time and physical activity (PA) mean time by week and weekend days.

Discussion

The main purpose of the present study was to characterise levels of sedentary time and physical activity in women with diagnosed fibromyalgia as well as to describe the adherence to recommended levels of physical activity assessed by accelerometry. Over half of the women (60.6%) met the physical activity recommendations (30 min/day of MVPA on 5 or more days a week). These women spent, on average, 71% (approximately 10 h/day) of their waking time in sedentary behaviours, that is, in activities that expend little energy. We observed that both sedentary behaviour and physical activity levels were similar across the study demographic factors as well, regardless of the severity of the disease. Women spent on average 10 min less on MVPA and 22 min less on sedentary behaviours during weekends compared with weekdays.

The present study showed that 60.6% of women met the recommendation to accumulate 30 or more min/day of physical activity of MVPA on most days of the week. The variation in meeting the recommendations was not associated with the study demographic factors, and despite the prevalence of meeting the recommendations, tended to be lower in the oldest group. In the overweight group and in those with a higher waist circumference, in those with fibromyalgia being diagnosed more than 5 years ago, and in the retired group, the associations were not statistically significant. Time spent on moderate-intensity physical activity and MVPA, however, tended to be lower in those with greater BMI (−6.6 and −7 min, respectively, per BMI category increase, <25, 25–30 and >30 kg/m²), which concurs with studies in healthy adults.²⁹ This may have important health implications since obese female fibromyalgia patients seem to have higher levels of pain, anxiety and depression and a worse quality of life, as well as lower functional capacity than their normal weight peers.³⁴

Despite several attempts having been made to objectively quantify sedentary behaviours and physical activity levels in people with fibromyalgia,^{12 13 35–38} to our knowledge, there are no previous studies showing the prevalence of meeting the physical activity recommendations in women with fibromyalgia, which hamper between-study comparisons. McLoughlin et al¹³ measured physical activity with accelerometry in 26 female fibromyalgia patients aged 42.7±12 years, but they did not show the prevalence of meeting the recommendations. They showed, however, that time spent at moderate intensity, using the same intensity threshold as used in the present study,³¹ was 15±8 min/day, which is on average ∼35 min lower (using the 51–75 years age group as a reference group) than the time observed in the present study. Kaleth et al¹² also measured physical activity with accelerometry in 30 fibromyalgia patients (27 women), but unfortunately, they did not show the physical activity estimates. Kashikar-Zuck et al³⁸ measured physical activity with accelerometry in a juvenile primary fibromyalgia syndrome group of adolescents and showed that only 23% achieved 30 min/day of MVPA, and only one patient achieved the recommended levels of physical activity for their age, that is 60 min/day of MVPA.^{20 21}

Data coming from apparently healthy women showed lower rates of meeting the recommendation than those observed in the present study.^{28 29 39 40} Hagstromer et al²⁹ reported that 48% of a representative sample of Swedish women accumulated 30 min/day of MVPA, and data from the Canadian Health Measures Survey⁴⁰ showed that less than 5% engaged in 30 min/day of MVPA on at least 5 of 7 days. Similarly, findings from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003–2004 indicated that less than 5% of a representative sample of women from the USA²⁸ met the physical activity recommendations, and 7% of US women met the physical activity recommendations in 2005–2006 (NHANES).³⁹ Methodological procedures used to measure physical activity, such as the number of valid days included in the analysis and exclusion of the first recording day to avoid reactivity and criteria used to define compliance, may partially explain the observed differences among studies. Although all women in our study had 7 valid days with at least 10 h of registered time during waking hours, in the other studies participants with 4 valid days were included in the study. Of note is that, for example, the NHANES 2003–2004²⁸ study included participants with just one or more valid days when calculating population adherence estimates. Besides the aforementioned methodological difference, it cannot be denied, however, that cultural differences might also explain the observed discrepancies.

Sedentary behaviours refer to those activities that do not increase resting energy expenditure substantially, that is, no more than 1.5 times the resting energy expenditure.⁴¹ These activities involve sitting, reclining and lying down, as well as watching television, studying, reading, etc. In the present study, we observed that women spend, on average, 10 h/day (∼71%) of their waking time in sedentary activities, which is similar to that observed in Portuguese women,⁴² and slightly higher than in American and Swedish women (about 7–8 h).²⁹ McLoughlin et al¹³ also measured sedentary time with accelerometry, but the data are not comparable with our study because they included sleeping time as a sedentary activity. They reported that women with fibromyalgia spend 1154±59 min/day at sedentary behaviours, which, together with the registered time in other physical activity intensities, summed ∼1440 min, which is a full day. We observed no association of sedentary time with any of the study demographic factors, which concurs with the Swedish study by Hagstromer et al²⁹ Similarly, women with a higher severity of the disease (FIQ≥70) showed similar sedentary patterns to those with an FIQ<70, which concurs with the findings reported by McLoughlin et al¹³

In our study, women with fibromyalgia spend less time (∼10 min/day) on MVPA and on sedentary time (∼22 min/day) during weekends compared with weekdays. These findings are in agreement with the results reported by Cooper et al.⁴³ The observed physical activity reduction during weekends could be partially explained by a reduced transport-related physical activity when commuting to or from work, whereas the reduction of sedentary time could be due to a reduced work-related sitting time. More studies quantifying and characterising physical activity and sedentary patterns during weekends and weekdays are needed.

The present study has several limitations. The cross-sectional design of our study does not allow us to establish any causal relationship. The sample is one of convenience and includes the known limitations of all non-probability samples, including those of less representativeness and unknown levels of sampling error. Further studies involving randomly recruited patients with fibromyalgia are needed. Of note also is the relatively low response rate (29%). We cannot deny that women who agreed to participate in this study are those who are aware of the importance of having an active lifestyle, which may have influenced the results. It should also be mentioned that the accelerometer underestimates physical activities that involve upper body movement, those with minimal vertical displacement such as cycling, water-based activities such as swimming, and it does not capture well the extra-energy cost of load-bearing activities, such as walking while carrying a backpack. Nevertheless, walking is the most prevalent leisure-time physical activity among women with fibromyalgia,¹⁵ and is most likely the type of activity they do at work and for transportation. We used the same cut-points for all ages and BMI levels as has been carried out in previous studies.^{28 29} Use of a single cut-point for all ages and BMI levels may, however, lead to an underestimate of moderate-intensity physical activity for the older and heavier group by not accounting for the decline in exercise capacity with age and weight. We do not present data on vigorous physical activity because the time spent at this intensity ranged from 0 to 2 min (see table 1, subtract moderate intensity to MVPA). On average, ∼98% of the time spent at MVPA is moderate-intensity physical activity. This is consistent with the available clinical knowledge on this population, and concurs with data from apparently healthy women from Sweden.²⁹ The observed low levels of vigorous physical activity could also suggest that the cut-point for this intensity was too high, thereby missing many minutes of activity in our population that should have been classified as vigorous physical activity. Unfortunately, we have no data on an age-matched and culturally matched group of healthy women, so direct comparisons cannot be made. McLoughlin et al¹³ observed that female fibromyalgia patients (n=26) were less active than a group of healthy women (n=26); yet the healthy group was younger and had a higher level of education than the patient-group. Despite the number of participants in the present study being relatively small, to date, this is the largest series described in adults. We do not know whether these findings apply to men, and therefore future studies should quantify both sedentary time and physical activity in this group of patients. We⁴⁴ and others⁴⁵ observed gender differences in patients with fibromyalgia; therefore, studies focused on examining gender differences in sedentary time and physical activity will provide further insights on whether preventive and interventions strategies should be gender-specific.

One of the strengths of the present study, however, was the strict standardisation of methodology used to measure physical activity, and the fact that all women were compliant with the measurements procedures. All women had 7 valid days with at least 10 h of registered time during waking hours. Indeed, the mean daily accelerometer wear time was 14±1.8 h/day. We do not know whether women modified their habitual sedentary behaviour or physical activity during the days they were monitored despite their being advised to keep on with their normal life. To avoid any kind of immediate reactivity, we removed from the analysis the first day of monitoring.

Modifiable lifestyle factors, such as physical activity, may have great potential as a public health instrument to prevent and contribute to the treatment of fibromyalgia. Longitudinal studies are also needed to further understand the predictive value of sedentary behaviours and physical activity over the course of the disease, and whether preventive strategies should start at the early stages of disease development. To have an objective estimate of the patient's sedentary behaviour as well as the engagement in physical activity could be used as a potential tool to increase the effectiveness of treatment approaches as well as to reduce disability and enhance the quality of life in people with fibromyalgia. Indeed, Fontaine et al⁴⁶ observed that accumulating 30 min of moderate-intensity physical activity throughout the day produces clinically relevant changes in perceived physical function and pain in previously minimally active adults with fibromyalgia.

In summary, these data provide an objective measure of the amount of time spent on sedentary activities and on physical activity in women with fibromyalgia. These estimates can be used for comparisons with other rheumatological diseases, as baseline reference levels for monitoring, and to assess the effectiveness of intervention strategies promoting physical activity in women with fibromyalgia.