Factors influencing the development and maintenance of aerobic fitness: lessons applicable to the fibrositis syndrome.

Exercise may have therapeutic benefits in the treatment of fibrositis/fibromyalgia. However, little is known concerning what type of exercise best serves patients with this condition, their capacity for exercise or the identity of the physiological or psychological alterations elicited by increased activity that might be responsible for the positive effects. We discuss these issues from the perspective of the classical responses reported in healthy subjects. In addition, since the benefits of exercise programs are dependent upon continual participation. strategies for initiating activity and maximizing compliance are discussed.