Acute effect of resistance exercise on cognitive function in people living with HIV

Abstract

People living with HIV are at an increased risk of developing cognitive deficits. Physical exercise is an important strategy to improve the brain health of people living with HIV. This randomized, controlled study aimed to investigate the acute effect of a single resistance exercise session on the cognitive function of people living with HIV. Twenty-three people living with HIV were randomized (1:1) to a control group (n = 12) or the exercise group (n = 11). Cognitive function was assessed by the Stroop test and the Trail Making Test. The exercise group was evaluated before and after the exercise session; meanwhile, the control group was evaluated before and after a 40-minute rest period. No statistical difference was found on the effect of exercise on cognitive function ( p > 0.05). This result suggests that one session of resistance exercise was not capable of improving the cognitive function of people with HIV.