HIV/AIDS

H/A: Physical Activity (2009)

• Intervention
  Is there evidence that physical activity benefits people with HIV infection?

  • Conclusion

    18 publications were reviewed to evaluate physical activity for people with HIV infection. Two recent systematic Cochrane reviews conclude that performing constant or interval aerobic exercise, progressive resistance exercise, or a combination of both, for at least 20 minutes per session at a frequency of three times per week is generally safe in adults with HIV infection and may lead to significant improvements in strength, endurance, cardiopulmonary fitness and reductions in depressive symptoms. Studies published since that time support those findings, however, research on the relationship between physical activity and immunity in people with HIV is inconclusive. Special considerations may be needed for people with HIV infection who have reduced aerobic capacity, metabolic changes, increased pain, fatigue and impairments while exercising and those with a history of drug and alcohol abuse. Further research is needed on the effect of physical activity on serum lipid profile in people with HIV infection.    

  • Grade: I
    • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
    • Grade II is Fair;
    • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
    • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
    • Grade V is Not Assignable.
    • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
    • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
    • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
    • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
    • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.
  • Evidence Summary: Physical activity for people with HIV infection
    • Detail
    • Quality Rating Summary
      For a summary of the Quality Rating results, click here.
    • Worksheets
      • Bopp CM, Phillips KD, Fulk LJ, Dudgeon WD, Sowell R, Hand GA. Physical activity and immunity in HIV-infected individuals. AIDS Care. 2004; 16 (3): 387-393. 
      • Cade WT, Fantry LE, Nabar SR, Keyser RE. Decreased peak arteriovenous oxygen difference during treadmill exercise testing in individuals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2003; 84: 1,595-1,603.
      • Cade WT, Fantry LE, Nabar SR, Shaw DK, Keyser RE. Impaired oxygen on-kinetics in persons with human immunodeficiency virus are not due to highly active anti-retroviral therapy. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2003; 84 (12): 1,831-1,838.
      • Cade WT, Reeds DN, Mittendorfer B, Patterson BW, Powderly WG, Klein S, Yarasheski KE. Blunted lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation during moderate exercise in HIV-infected subjects taking HAART. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2007; 292: E812-E819. 
      • Clingerman EM. Participation in physical activity by persons living with HIV disease. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care. 2003; 14 (5): 59-70.
      • Clingerman E. Physical activity, social support and health-related quality of life among persons with HIV disease. J Comm Health Nurs. 2004; 21: 179-197.
      • Dolan SE, Frontera W, Librizzi J, Ljungquist K, Juan S, Dorman R, Cole ME, Kanter JR, Grinspoon S. Effects of a supervised home-based aerobic and progressive resistance training regimen in women infected with human immunodeficiency virus. Arch Intern Med. 2006; 166: 1,225-1,231.
      • Fama R, Eisen JC, Rosenbloom MJ, Sassoon SA, Kemper CA, Deresinski S, Pfefferbaum A, Sullivan EV. Upper and lower limb motor impairments in alcoholism, HIV infection and their comorbidity. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2007; 31 (6): 1,038-1,044.
      • Fillipas S, Oldmeadow LB, Bailey MJ, Cherry CL. A six-month, supervised, aerobic and resistance exercise program improves self-efficacy in people with human immunodeficiency virus: A randomised controlled trial. Aust J Physiotherapy. 2006; 52: 185-190.
      • Nixon S, O'Brien K, Glazier RH, Tynan AM. Aerobic exercise interventions for adults living with HIV/AIDS. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005; (2): CD001796.
      • O'Brien K, Nixon S, Glazier RH, Tynan AM. Progressive resistance exercise interventions for adults living with HIV/AIDS. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2004; (4): CD004248.
      • Oursler KK, Sorkin JD, Smith BA, Katzel LI. Reduced aerobic capacity and physical functioning in older HIV-infected men. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 2006; 22(11): 1,113-1,121.
      • Ramirez-Marrero FA, Smith BA, Melendez-Brau N, Santana-Bagur JL. Physical and leisure activity, body composition, and life satisfaction in HIV-positive Hispanics in Puerto Rico.  J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care. 2004; 15(4): 68-77.
      • Rusch M, Nixon S, Schilder A, Braitstein P, Chan K, Hogg RS.  Impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions: Prevalence and associations among persons living with HIV/AIDS in British Columbia. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2004; 2: 46.
      • Scott WB, Oursler KK, Katzel LI, Ryan AS, Russ DW. Central activation, muscle performance, and physical function in men infected with human immunodeficiency virus. Muscle Nerve. 2007; 36(3): 374-383. 
      • Shah M, Tierney K, Adams-Huet B, Boonyavarakul A, Jacob K, Quittner C, Dinges WL, Peterson D, Garg A. The role of diet, exercise and smoking in dyslipidemia in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy. HIV Medicine. 2005; 6: 291-298.
      •  Simmonds MJ, Novy D, Sandoval R. The differential influence of pain and fatigue on physical performance and health status in ambulatory patients with human immunodeficiency virus. Clin J Pain. 2005; 21: 200-206.
      • Smit E, Crespo CJ, Semba RD, Jaworowicz D, Vlahov D, Ricketts EP, Ramirez-Marrero FA, Tang AM. Physical activity in a cohort of HIV-positive and HIV-negative injection drug users. AIDS Care. 2006; 18(8): 1,040-1,045.
  • Search Plan and Results: Physical Activity and HIV Infection 2007