Physical Activity and Exercise for Older People Living with HIV: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Introduction: Improvements in physical, mental, and overall quality of life are well documented in younger HIV populations who exercise. Exercise guidelines exist for younger HIV populations, but none for older people living with HIV (OPLWH), especially 50 years of age and older. Our aim was to map the existing literature on the effects of exercise and physical activity prescriptions for OPLWH. Methods: We conducted a scoping review using the methodological framework proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. Online searches on five research databases yielded 503 published articles. Fifteen studies met the study's inclusion criteria. Results:The most commonly used parameters of exercise included aerobic and strength training, as well as a combination of both. The physical, psychological and Quality of Life (QoL) impact of physical activity and its effect on OPLWH is evidently beneficial. Overall, a positive correlation between exercise and physical, mental and functional status was observed. No adverse side effects, or safety and efficacy concerns, during the use of exercise were reported. Conclusion: This review confirms the dearth of evidence on physical activity and exercise in the context of OPLWH. Of greater concern is the fact that there were no studies conducted in sub-Saharan Africa, the global region with by far the highest HIV burden.

The perceptions of older people living with hiv/aids towards physical activity and exercise

“…Participants took part in a face-to-face, semi-structured interview [each approximately 60 min in length] between June and November 2021. There were sixteen [16] individuals who voluntarily participated in the interview process. All participants were 50 years and older, and living with HIV.…”

“…Physical activity and exercise can be used to improve overall function and quality of life in older populations living with HIV [ 16 ]. Physical activity and exercise participation also appear to be a safe and effective way to prevent the negative health outcomes associated with comorbidities in older people living with HIV [ 17 ].…”

Effects of Physical Activity Interventions on Health Outcomes among Older Adults Living with HIV: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Chung et al [ 33 ] implemented an intervention of moderate-intensity aerobic and resistance exercise lasting 45 min twice a week, and Oursler et al [ 17 ] implemented an intervention of high-intensity aerobic exercise lasting 20–45 min three times a week. A previous scoping review reported that moderate-to-high intensity aerobic exercise and combined aerobic and resistance training were effective for enhancing the walking capacity of older adults living with HIV [ 41 ]. Therefore, we suggest that health care providers should consider providing physical activity interventions such as combined aerobic and resistance training or high-intensity aerobic exercise for improvement of walking capacity in older adults living with HIV.…”

Inflammatory and Cardiovascular Correlates of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Older Adults Living With HIV

“…3 However, increases in life expectancy among PWH are accompanied by challenges of both HIV and aging. While the majority of the literature on PWH focuses on younger samples, 4 older people living with HIV (OPWH) (aged ≥50 y of age) 5,6 are now facing unique challenges, thus shifting the focus from HIV-related chronic illnesses to noncommunicable, age-related diseases, such as cardiovascular disease (CVD). [7][8][9][10][11] Multiple factors have been attributed to the increased risk of CVD observed in OPWH, including HIV infection itself and increased rates of traditional risk factors, such as inflammation and physical inactivity.…”

“…39,40 Though there are general PA guidelines for PWH (ie, ≥30 min•d −1 of moderate intensity PA on ≥3 d•wk −1 ), 41,42 no clear guidelines for PA exist that are appropriate for OPWH aged 50 years and older. 4 However, sedentary behavior, defined as any waking behavior in the sitting, lying, and reclining positions with an energy expenditure of ≤1.5 metabolic equivalents (METs), also plays a unique role in inflammatory and cardiovascular health. 43 Sitting time, a surrogate measure of sedentary behavior, is independently associated with CVD incidence and mortality, certain cancers, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and all-cause mortality.…”