Is Swimming a More Tolerable Form of Movement for Individuals With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Summary

Individuals with ME/CFS experience profound exercise intolerance and post-exertional malaise. This remote (app-based) pilot study explores whether light, fully self-paced, swimming may be a tolerable form of movement for people with ME/CFS and related conditions, due to the distinct physiological effects of water immersion. The horizontal posture and hydrostatic pressure of water supports venous return and reduces orthostatic stress, while cool water exposure may influence autonomic and inflammatory responses. We are recruiting adults with mild-to-moderate ME/CFS and related conditions for this study examining short-term symptom and autonomic responses to gentle swimming. Participants will choose their own intensity and duration and may stop at any time. A light cycling session is available as an optional comparator for those who feel comfortable doing so. \[Note: this is not an exercise training or rehabilitation study, and participation is only intended for individuals who can tolerate some gentle activity and can be in public spaces without triggering post-exertional malaise. You should be comfortable with swimming, but flotation or other assistive devices are welcome\]

Conditions

• ME/CFS
• Long COVID
• Post- COVID-19 Syndrome
• POTS - Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Overtraining Syndrome
• Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome
• Mast Cell Activation Syndrome

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Swimming

Following a week of baseline HRV and symptoms tracking, all participants will be asked to perform a light swimming session. This session should be at a self-selected intensity and duration, however it should always be performed at an intensity that is under a rating of perceived exertion of 5/10 (easy to moderate at most). Recommended duration is \~15-30 min. Participants may use flotation or assistive devices as they wish. Cool water is recommended.

BEHAVIORAL

Cycling

After a minimum of three days of recovery following swimming, and once the visible application indicates a stable recovery score of at least 4/5 (and the participant feels okay), they may optionally complete a cycling session on a stationary bike. This biking session will also be at a self-selected duration and intensity (effort \<5/10), which does not need to match the first session. If participants feel that they are unable to complete the biking exercise session, they can still participate in the study and only complete the swimming. If they believe that it would exacerbate symptoms and cause harm, they should not do the biking.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Simon Fraser University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Alexandra Coates, PhD · Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University

Study Design

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

80 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-02-20

Primary Completion

2027-01-31

Completion

2027-06-30

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations