Impact of Aerobic and Resistance Exercise on the Health of HIV-Infected Persons

Abstract

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,...

Lifestyle Medicine and HIV-Infected Patients

“…In a 2009 review, Hand et al [23] summarized the results of numerous studies of HIV-infected patients which examined both aerobic exercise and resistance training. In the studies employing aerobic exercise, the outcomes showed significant reductions in anxiety and depression as well as significant increases in maximal oxygen uptake (VO 2max ) and decreases in body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol and triglycerides, body fat, and abdominal girth.…”

“…The patients executed 2-3 sets with 8-10 repetitions. The weight of the repetition was determined to be 60-80 % of one repetition max [23,25].…”

Assessment of the physical activity, body mass index and energy intake of HIV-uninfected and HIV-infected women in Mangaung, Free State province

“…30 Although the overall effect of physical activity on HIVinfected individuals has been confi rmed, most studies have not demonstrated an eff ect on viral load or immunological indices. 28 Nonetheless, the safety of physical participation and its positive contribution to the psychological wellness of the HIV population has been established. 31 Although in the study by Dolan and co-workers 32 there were no signifi cant diff erences in blood glucose levels, CD4+ cell count or viral load the impact of a supervised home-based exercise program on the physical strength, cardio-respiratory health and endurance levels of a small group of HIV-infected women has been documented in that study.…”

“…28 Moderate physical activity is considered to be safe in stable HIV-infected persons, and may off er substantial physiological and psychological benefi ts. 29 Within the context of the present study, physical activity revolving around social and typical household activities, may have played a signifi cant role in maintaining the general well-being 15 of the HIV-infected women.…”

Results of a nine month home-based physical activity intervention for people living with HIV

“…7,11,[18][19][20] The use of a home-based physical activity intervention in other clinical populations has successfully increased the amount of daily physical activity accumulated when compared to a control group. 12,21,22 These programs incorporated moderate-intensity physical activity, which has been shown to be safe for clinical populations with functional limitations.…”