The effects of resistance training on women with fibromyalgia.

The resistance training intervention will include 3 blocks of exercise conditioning. Foundational strength will be developed from weeks one to four in block 1. In block 2, strength capacity is developed, from weeks five to eight. In the final block weeks nine to 12, velocity conditioning is programmed. Exercise Sport Science Australia accredited academic staff will supervise the exercise sessions. Sessions will be aimed to be grouped, or will be organised as one on one sessions in the Footscray Hospital Research Building. Two (60 minute) sessions a week over the 12 weeks is programmed for the intervention, with 20 participants total. The exertion, fatiguability and breathlessness of participants during working sets will be measured using the Borg scale (1-10) rate of perceived exertion, aiming to remain at or below a score of 5/10 (hard). Exercises will progress from seated cable resistance machines to free weighs, and is dependent on individual preferences and capabilities. Exercises intensity will be cued to be explosive on the concentric phase and slow (a count of minimum 2 seconds tempo) on the eccentric phase. Repetitions in reserve will be used to monitor auto-regulation of each exercise session, completing each set with a minimum of two repetitions in reserve. This is a strategy for adherence in this population, and will also use attendance lists and reminder notifications via text. Where participants did not attend exercise sessions, they will be required to attend the total 24 sessions within two weeks of the original trial completion date, failure to do so means participants will be considered not have met the adherence requirements of the study. After the 12 weeks, participants will either undergo post- intervention testing and cross-over into the symptom monitoring group, or enter into the 12 week intervention. Wash out period after the post-intervention testing, will be 6 weeks, where testing will take place.