Aerobic fitness in adolescents with chronic pain or chronic fatigue: parallels and mechanisms?
Paolo T. Pianosi, Eric Emerling, Kristin C. Mara, Amy L. Weaver, Philip R. Fischer
Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 55905 Rochester, USA. E-mail: pianosi.paolo@mayo.edu
DOI: 10.2340/16501977-2221
Lay Abstract
Little is known about fitness in patients with chronic pain, but chronic pain, like chronic fatigue, deters exercise. This becomes problematic since exercise is a key component of treatment and rehabilitation. We wondered whether adolescents with chronic fatigue are more deconditioned than those with chronic pain due to the nature of their illness or disability. We conducted exercise tests in nearly 500 adolescents with chronic pain or chronic fatigue to determine physical fitness. We found aerobic fitness was low, but similar, in 75%-80% of patients with chronic fatigue or chronic pain; and all exhibited typical features of deconditioning or being “out of shape”. Moreover, their muscles appeared to work normally, apart from the obvious reduction in peak exercise capacity. We conclude patients with either chronic pain or chronic fatigue suffer similar consequences of inactivity, regardless of the reason for curtailing exercise.
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