HIV infection and HIV drug therapies result in physical and psychological challenges to those living with HIV. These conditions contribute to decreased functional aerobic capacity (FAC). The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a combined moderate-intensity aerobic and resistance exercise intervention on the FAC of HIV-infected individuals. Forty HIV-infected individuals were randomized to an exercise group (EX) who completed six weeks of moderate-intensity exercise training, or to a control group (CON) that did not receive the exercise intervention. Twice weekly, the EX group completed 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic training followed by moderate-intensity resistance training. Prior to, and following, the intervention the FAC for each subject was determined by graded exercise treadmill stress test (GXT). At baseline testing, the mean FAC as determined by treadmill time-based estimation of maximal oxygen consumption was 25% below age-predicted values, a level of reduction indicating the presence of functional aerobic impairment (FAI). Following the intervention, the EX had a significant increase in time to fatigue and estimated VO(2) max (p<.001). Further, FAI was eliminated (1% above age predicted values) during the exercise training. The EX group also experienced decreased heart rates during Stages 1 (p=.02), 2 (p=.01), 4 (p=.05) and 6 (p=.02) of the GXT. The CON had no significant changes during the intervention period. These data indicate that six weeks of combined moderate-intensity aerobic and resistance training can improve FAC and eliminate FAI in those with HIV. Results suggest that the functional limitations common in HIV-infected individuals are due in part to detraining that is reversible through moderate exercise adherence.

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of combined aerobic and resistance exercise training among self-reported mood disturbances, perceived stress, frequency of self-reported symptoms, and symptom distress in a sample of HIV+ adults. For this purpose, 49 participants were randomly assigned into an exercise (EX) or control (CON) group. Those in the EX group completed 50 min of supervised aerobic and resistance training at a moderate intensity twice a week for 6 weeks. The CON group reported to the university and engaged in sedentary activities. Data were collected at baseline before randomization and 6 weeks post intervention. Measures included the symptom distress scale (SDS), perceived stress scale (PSS), profile of mood states (POMS) total score, and the POMS sub-scale for depression and fatigue. A 2 way ANOVA was used to compare between and within group interactions. The EX group showed a significant decrease in reported depression scores (p=0.03) and total POMS (p=0.003). The CON group reported no change in POMS or SDS, but showed a significant increase in PSS. These findings indicate that combination aerobic and resistance training completed at a moderate intensity at least twice a week provides additional psychological benefits independent of disease status and related symptoms.

BackgroundAthletes and active adults many times have the goal of improving/maintaining fitness while losing weight and this is best achieved by caloric restriction in combination with exercise. However, this poses a risk for lean tissue loss, which can limit performance. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplement, in conjunction with heavy resistance training and a carbohydrate caloric-restricted “cut diet” on body composition and muscle fitness.MethodsSeventeen resistance-trained males (21–28 years of age) were randomized to a BCAA group (n = 9) or a carbohydrate (CHO) group (n = 8) who both received their respective supplement during the 8 weeks of a prescribed body building style resistance training protocol. Subjects were prescribed a hypocaloric diet (based upon pre-intervention analysis) that was to be followed during the study.ResultsThe BCAA group lost fat mass (−0.05 ± 0.08 kg;p < .05) and maintained lean mass, while the CHO group lost lean mass (−0.90 ± 0.06 kg; p < .05) and body mass (−2.3 ± 0.7 kg; p < .05). Both groups increased 1RM squat, but the increase in the BCAA group (15.1 ± 2.2 kg; p < .05)was greater (P < 0.05) than the CHO group. The BCAA group increased 1RM bench press (7.1 ± 1.6 kg; P < 0.05), while the CHO group decreased strength (−3.7 ± 2.3 kg; P < 0.05). The only change in muscular endurance was an increase in repetitions to fatigue (5.3 ± 0.2; p < .05) in the CHO group.ConclusionThese results show that BCAA supplementation in trained individuals performing resistance training while on a hypocaloric diet can maintain lean mass and preserve skeletal muscle performance while losing fat mass.

The use of both aerobic and resistance exercise has been shown to improve physiologic parameters such as strength, endurance, time to fatigue, and body composition in the HIV-infected population. Exercise has also been used successfully to treat psychologic conditions such as depression and anxiety that are common in HIV-infected individuals. However, the effects of exercise on immune function in these individuals are uncertain because of conflicting results found among studies. Additionally, many ventures into this area have been attempted with poor research design, resulting in inconclusive evidence or poor generalizability. The focus of this paper is to review the research that has been performed using exercise as an intervention for HIV-infected persons and to determine what needs to be done next to further our understanding of how the HIV-infected body and mind respond to exercise training.

Insomnia, a common problem associated with HIV disease, is most likely caused by a multitude of factors. This study investigated the correlations between a selected group of physiological and psychological factors and sleep quality in an HIV-infected population. A convenience sample of 79 ethnically diverse HIV-positive adults, ages 24 to 63, completed a number of questionnaires and released their laboratory records for CD4+ cell count and viral load information. Variables significantly related to sleep quality were HIV-related symptoms, total pain, fatigue, depression, state anxiety, and the number of adults in the household. Findings support the need for health care providers to consider factors that contribute to impaired sleep when developing effective care for HIV-infected individuals with sleep disturbance.

Individuals infected with HIV experience numerous comorbidities caused by the disease progression and medications, lack of (or inability to perform) physical activity, malnutrition, or a combination of these causes. Common symptoms include loss of muscle mass, fatigue, lypodystrophy, lypoatrophy, and decreases in strength, functional capacity, and overall quality of life. Studies have shown that exercise is a potential treatment of many of these symptoms. Research suggests that exercise may produce beneficial physiological changes in the HIV-infected population such as improved body composition and increases in both strength and endurance. In addition, psychological conditions such as depression and anxiety have been shown to be positively affected by exercise. The purpose of this review is to examine the literature regarding effects of aerobic, resistance, and combined aerobic and resistance exercise training on HIV-infected individuals.Keywords physical activity; AIDS; weight lifting; training; body composition The emergence of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) has allowed those infected with HIV to live longer and more productive lives. However, there are a number of HIV-related side effects that are induced by the virus, HAART, and other associated therapies (growth hormone, testosterone) associated with the disease. With the advent socioeconomic classes, there became a larger population of people living with HIV who have personal and environmental factors that predispose to high visceral fat mass and obesity. 2 Health care professionals are currently seeking alternative ways to prevent and manage these complications. One nonpharmacological method that is emerging is moderate-of HAART, patients are beginning therapy with higher body fat mass and body mass index (BMI) than reported in previous years, as well as reduced strength and muscle mass. 1 As the demographics of the epidemic moved into minority and lower intensity aerobic and resistance exercise. 3 Moderate-intensity exercise has been shown to improve total cholesterol, body composition, and psychological well-being and to increase functional capacity, muscular strength, overall health, and quality of life. The purpose of this article is to examine the effects that aerobic, resistance, and combined aerobic and resistance exercise training have on HIV-infected individuals.Address correspondence to Gregory A. Hand, PhD, MPH, Department of Exercise Science, University of South Carolina, 1300 Wheat Street, Columbia, SC 29208; ghand@sc.edu. For reprints and permissions queries, please visit SAGE's Web site at http://www.sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav. NIH Public Access Author ManuscriptAm J Lifestyle Med. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2010 November 1. NIH-PA Author ManuscriptThe methods used for this review included a search of journal articles using a combination of major electronic databases (ie, PubMed, Medline). Specific keywords (or combinations of) used in the search included the following: HIV, AIDS, exercise, aerobic,...

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The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation of perceived stress with selected physiological and psychological factors in an HIV-infected, predominantly African American population and to assess the multivariable effects on perceived stress. The variables that correlated significantly with perceived stress were entered into a backward stepwise regression model. Pearson's r analysis showed significant correlations between perceived stress and state and trait anxiety, depression, HIV-related symptoms, sleep quality, daytime sleepiness and fatigue. State and trait anxiety, depression and fatigue retained significance (p<0.1) in the final regression model. These factors explained approximately 80% of the variance in perceived stress. The significant interactions of multiple physiological and psychological correlates suggest that perceived stress is a complex outcome with a multifactorial etiology. Further, the model suggests that psychological factors may contribute to perceived stress in this population more than physiological factors such as HIV-related symptomatology or stage of disease.