ISSN 2736-1748
African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN 2736-1748 Vol. 10 (5), pp. 001-010, May, 2022. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Short-term combined exercise training improves the health of HIV-infected patients
Eduard Tiozzo1,2, Dushyantha Jayaweera3, Allan Rodriguez3, Janet Konefal1,2, Angelica B. Melillo1,2, Sarah Adwan1,2, Lawrence Chen1,2, Chad Parvus1,2, Miguel Figueroa4, Nicole Hodgson1,2, Judi M. Woolger3, Ronald Kanka1,2, Arlette Perry5 and John E. Lewis1,2*
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
2Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
3Department of Medicine, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
4Medical Wellness Center, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
5Department of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences, School of Education, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
Accepted 6 April, 2022
abstract
This study tested the benefits of combined aerobic and resistance exercise training (CARET) in HIV-infected individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy. Twenty-three human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected men and women, predominantly of lower socioeconomic status (SES), were randomly assigned and completed 12 weeks of: (a) standard medical treatment plus CARET or (b) standard medical treatment only. At baseline and follow-up, immune functioning, metabolic variables, quality of life (QoL), physical characteristics, and physical fitness were measured. The control group showed a significant decrease in CD4+ T cell count (-16%, p<0.05), whereas the exercise group maintained a more stable count after the intervention (-3%, p=0.39). Furthermore, exercise participants showed significant improvements in waist circumference (-2%, p<0.05), fasting glucose (-16%, p<0.05), physical (+11%, p<0.03) and mental (+10%, p<0.02) QoL, estimated VO2max (+21%, p<0.01), upper body strength (+15%, p<0.05), and lower body strength (+22%, p<0.05). Our 12-week, supervised, moderate-intensity CARET program resulted in more stable CD4 count and significant health improvements in HIV-infected individuals of lower SES.
Key words: Antiretroviral therapy, aerobic and resistance exercise training, immune functioning, quality of life.