Light, but not moderate or vigorous, physical activity is consistently associated with higher levels of positive psychology resources and outcomes in women with fibromyalgia: a cross-sectional study from the al-Ándalus project.

To examine cross-sectional associations between physical activity and positive psychology variables (resources: emotional repair and dispositional optimism; outcomes: positive affect and satisfaction with life), as well as negative affect in women with fibromyalgia. In 419 women with fibromyalgia (51.8 ± 7.9 years old), physical activity intensity levels (light, moderate and vigorous) and daily steps were objectively measured using accelerometers. Subjective well-being was assessed with the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule and the Satisfaction with Life Scale, dispositional optimism with the Life Orientation Test-Revised and emotional repair with the Trait Meta-Mood Scale. Linear regression models were conducted. Participants averaged 7,268 (SD = 2,920) steps/day; > 90% of physical activity time was light intensity. Higher levels of light physical activity and more daily steps were consistently associated with more favourable levels of positive affect, satisfaction with life, dispositional optimism and emotional repair (β range: 0.12 to 0.25; all p ≤ .02). Additionally, vigorous physical activity was positively associated with emotional repair (β = 0.10; p < .05) and more daily steps were with lower levels of negative affect (β = − 0.01; p < .05). No other associations reached statistical significance. Light physical activity and daily steps, but not moderate or vigorous physical activity, are consistently associated with more favourable levels of positive psychology variables in women with fibromyalgia. Longitudinal research is needed to clarify the temporal nature of these associations and to inform the development of interventions aimed at increasing light physical activity and daily steps to enhance positive psychology variables in fibromyalgia.