The Effects of Exercise on Acute Immune Responses in Relative Leisure-Deprived People Living with HIV/AIDS: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Exercise training involving exercises of optimal intensity and duration improves psychological and medical variables in relative leisure-deprived people living with HIV/AIDS. This study aimed to analyze associated psychological variables and the effect of exercise intensity and duration on immune responses in relative leisure-deprived people infected with HIV. The participants completed different moderate-intensity exercises (30 min (60–80% HRmax) and 45 min (60–80% HRmax)) and high-intensity exercise for 10 min (>80% HRmax). Levels higher than “normal” were rated for relative leisure deprivation, indicating relative deprivation of leisure among participants. The overall level of quality of life was “normal”, indicating that quality of life was not considered high. The stress level was psychologically considered low. Time had a significant effect on cortisol levels (p < 0.05). Compared to pre-exercise, cortisol level was significantly decreased immediately after moderate exercise for 45 min and 3 h post-exercise after high-intensity exercise for 10 min (p < 0.05). However, time and the interaction of condition and time had no significant effect on IL-6 and sIgA levels (p > 0.05). Despite the small sample size of this pilot study, the results demonstrate that moderate-intensity exercise can be recommended to improve the health and quality of life of people infected with HIV.

Impact of exercise training and diet therapy on the physical fitness, quality of life, and immune response of people living with HIV/AIDS: a randomized controlled trial

“…Owing to the low amount of physical activity and low fitness level at baseline, the exercise itself may have been stressful to the participants. In a previous study conducted in our laboratory, stress responses to acute treadmill exercises such as high cortisol levels were also observed in PLWHA [ 23 ]. The form of exercise performed can play an important role in increasing interest in exercise.…”

“…A detailed selection process of the exercise intensity and duration was presented in the earlier publication of the study results [ 23 ]. Moderate-intensity (60-80% HRmax) exercise was used for exercise training.…”

“…Exercise intensity, duration, and volume can affect the redistribution of exercise-related immune cells in the circulatory system [ 21 ]. Moderate-intensity exercise is recommended for the general public and for PLWHA to enhance health [ 22 , 23 ].…”

High-Intensity Interval Training for People Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus

“…With more PLWH able to remain undetected and reduce the severe impairment HIV can have on the immune system, it is plausible that HIIT would not pose a serious health risk any more than it would for individuals without HIV. In recent years, some studies have compared high-intensity aerobic exercise and moderateintensity aerobic exercise (14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19). These studies have shown that a high-intensity modality and dosage was just as safe as moderate-intensity exercise in which both have shown to improve strength, body composition, and V ˙O2 peak (16,17).…”