Effects of a 2-Year Supervised Exercise Program Upon the Body Composition and Muscular Performance of HIV-Infected Patients

Abstract

Background :There is a lack of research investigating long-term effects of exercise training upon the body composition and muscle function in HIV-infected patients (PHIV). The study investigated the influence of a 2-year supervised exercise program on body composition and strength of PHIV under highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).Methods :A training program including aerobic, strength and flexibility exercises was performed by 27 PHIV (17 men/ 10 women; age: 48.7±7.0 years; HAART: 150.7±65.3 months) during 1 year and 18 PHIV (10 men/ 8 women; age: 50.6±5.2 years; HAART: 176.6±53.1 months) during 2 years. Body composition and knee isokinetic strength were assessed at baseline and at the end of each year of intervention.Results :Body composition remained stable along the whole experimentvsbaseline (1-year- total muscle mass: Δ men=1.1%,P=0.21; Δ women=1.4%,P=0.06; trunk fat: Δ men=-0.1%,P=0.65; Δ women=-1.5%,P=0.45;2 years- total muscle mass: Δ men=2.7%,P=0.54; Δ women=-1.9%,P=0.71; trunk fat: Δ men=4.4%,P=0.96; Δ women=10.0%,P=0.30). After 1-year, peak torque increased in men (Δ extension=4.2%,P=0.01; Δ flexion=12.2%,P=0.04) and total work reduced in women (Δ extension=-15.4%,P=0.01, Δ flexion=-17.5%,P=0.05). All strength markers remained stablevsbaseline after 2 years of intervention (P>0.05). Only men showed significant reduction in the risk of disability due to sarcopenia (P=0.05) after 1 year of intervention, which remained stable after 2 years.Conclusion :Long-term exercise training preserved strength and muscle mass in PHIV under HAART. Exercise programs should be part of HIV therapy to prevent sarcopenia of this population along the years.Trial Registration :ACTRN12610000683033; UTN U1111-1116-4416.