EFEITO AGUDO DO ALONGAMENTO ESTÁTICO PASSIVO SOBRE A VARIABILIDADE DA FREQUÊNCIA CARDÍACA EM MULHERES COM FIBROMIALGIA SEGUNDO NÍVEL DE FLEXIBILIDADE

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by diffuse musculoskeletal pain. Dysautonomia is involved in the pathophysiology and symptoms related to fibromyalgia. Passive static stretching stands out as a low-cost, safe, and potentially effective intervention in modulating the autonomic nervous system. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the acute effect of passive static stretching on heart rate variability (HRV) in women with fibromyalgia according to their level of flexibility. METHODOLOGY: Quasi-experimental study with participants aged 18-50 years, diagnosed with fibromyalgia, residing in Campo Grande - MS, divided into: G1 (low flexibility, n=9) and G2 (adequate flexibility, n=5). Participants performed one session of passive static stretching. Outcomes assessed: flexibility (before and after the stretching protocol using the Sit-and-Reach Test and Apley's Scratch Test) and heart rate (HR) (pre-intervention and immediate post-intervention and post-intervention 20 min); HRV variables in the time and frequency domains (pre-intervention and post-intervention 0-10 min and post 10-20 min). RESULTS: Flexibility as measured by the Sit-and-Reach Test was lower in G1 than in G2 at both the pre- and post-intervention 20 min time points. There was no significant difference between groups and assessment times for HR and HRV variables. CONCLUSION: A passive static stretching protocol does not acutely influence HRV variables in the time and frequency domains in women with fibromyalgia and different levels of flexibility.