Effects of resistance training in HIV-infected patients: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Abstract

The relative effects of resistance training (RT) upon muscle fitness and immune function among HIV-infected patients are uncertain. The purpose of this study was to perform a meta-analysis to determine the effects of RT upon muscle strength, muscle mass and CD4 cells count and to identify potential moderators of those outcomes in HIV-infected patients. Meta-analyses use random or fixed-effects model depending on the heterogeneity of effect sizes, complemented with Hedge's g correction factor. Thirteen trials were meta-analysed. Overall, RT increased muscle strength (35.5%, P < 0.01) and CD4 cell count (26.1%, P = 0.003) versus controls (P < 0.03), but not muscle mass (P = 0.051). Meta-regression followed by subgroup moderator analysis showed that gains in muscle strength followed a dose-response pattern with largest increase detected among trials with longer (24 weeks; 49.3%) than shorter intervention (<12 weeks; 39%), higher (Physiotherapy Evidence-Based Database [PEDro] scale = 6; 38.3%) than lower (PEDro = 5; 28.1%) quality, and longer (12 months; 59.7%) than shorter time under highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) (<6 months; 37.1%), (P < 0.01). RT appears to be efficacious to improve muscular strength (~35.5%) and CD4 cell count (~26.1%), but not muscle mass of HIV-infected patients. Effects upon strength were greater in studies with higher quality and among trials with longer RT and HAART.

The effect of a 12-week combinational exercise program on CD4 count and mental health among HIV infected women: A randomized control trial

“…A meta-analysis that included most of the trials, reported no significant difference in change of CD4 count for patients in the exercise intervention group compared with the non-exercising control group 12 . Poton using a recent meta-analysis examined the effects of resistance training in HIV-infected individuals and reported a potential moderate effect of such intervention on CD4 count 30 …”

Effectiveness of Home and Community Exercise Interventions in Improving Indices of Adiposity and Health Outcomes in Adults Living With HIV: a Protocol for a Systematic Review.

“…Various clinical trials have demonstrated that exercise programs incorporating aerobic and strength training are safe (13)(14)(15) and e cacious (13,16,17) in correcting adiposity derangements and dyslipidaemias in PLWH. In addition to these bene ts, aerobic exercise for PLWH equally improves cardiorespiratory function and quality of life (13,17), while resistance exercise improves muscle strength (14,18), immune function (19) and muscle mass (14).…”

Exercise, Comorbidities, and Health-Related Quality of Life in People Living with HIV: The HIBES Cohort Study

“…The benefits of different types of physical exercise such as aerobics, strength training, yoga, tai chi, and other forms of exercise for PWH are well known [8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. However, recent literature has focused on exploring the role of intensity and total volume of physical activity [15][16][17], but limited attention has been given to whether recreational exercises, other than aerobics, strength training, yoga, or tai chi itself, have specific effects on HRQOL.…”