Resistance training with blood flow restriction: Impact on the muscle strength and body composition in people living with HIV/AIDS

Abstract

The aim of the study was to compare the impact of 12-week resistance training with blood flow restriction (G RTBFR ) versus, traditional resistance training (G TRT ) and non-training on the muscle strength and body composition HIV/AIDS participants. Muscle strength was tested at baseline, and on the 6th, 21st and 36th training sessions, using maximal repetition test. Pre-and post-intervention body composition changes were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Resistance training was undertaken three times a week comprising bilateral elbow extension and flexion exercises, unilateral flexion and bilateral knee extension. Changes in strength and body composition (pre-and post-intervention) between groups were evaluated by mixed models of repeated measures, and by paired and unpaired comparisons, considering the Effect Size. All groups were similar at baseline for muscle strength and body composition. Post-intervention, the training groups showed similar, statistically significant increases in muscle strength (G RTBFR =25.7-57.4%; G TRT= 24.5-52.3%) and skeletal muscle tissue (G RTBFR =8.4%; G TRT =8.3%). There was also a significant change in body fat (p=0.023-0.043), with significant effect sizes for strength and skeletal muscle tissue (0.41-2.27), respectively. These results suggest that both resistance training interventions promoted muscle hypertrophy, body fat reduction and positive impact on muscle strength in people living with HIV/AIDS. Resistance training with blood flow restriction proved to be an effective alternative to include patients with marked physical weakness, unable to engage in regular strength training programme.ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02783417.

Acute and chronic cardiometabolic responses induced by resistance training with blood flow restriction in HIV patients

“…The RTBFR increases muscle strength and muscle mass similar to the high-intensity TRT both in healthy 20 and in PWH 4 samples. Our previous founds demonstrate that are no significant differences in the effects of the two training methods (RTBFR and TRT) on muscle function and its morphology 4 .…”

“…The RTBFR increases muscle strength and muscle mass similar to the high-intensity TRT both in healthy 20 and in PWH 4 samples. Our previous founds demonstrate that are no significant differences in the effects of the two training methods (RTBFR and TRT) on muscle function and its morphology 4 . Although the methods strategically differ in terms of load, frequency, and ischemia, there is no difference in terms of training volume and muscle increase 4 .…”

“…However, cardiometabolic disorders such as dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, diabetes, hypertension, and increased inflammatory state are frequently observed amongst people living with HIV (PWH) 3 . The etiology of the abovementioned cardiometabolic abnormalities is complex and multifactorial and might be related to the inflammatory effects caused by the virus infection itself and/or by the ART treatment 4 . As a consequence, PWH exhibits an augmented cardiovascular risk 3 , 5 , 6 .…”

“…Additional benefits such as muscle hypertrophy are conferred by TRT at high intensities (i.e., 70% or more of one repetition maximum [1RM]) 11 . However, intensities of this magnitude may be contraindicated for debilitated PWH, who often have physical incapacities and/or high cardiovascular risk 4 , 12 , 13 .…”

Effects of different exercise programs on cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition in college students

“…Besides, Alves et al. 30 reported positive impact on body composition (i.e., muscle mass, body fat) in HIV/AIDS participants after 12-wk resistance training with BFR. The current study reached similar results with a shorter intervention (i. e., 8-wk) than 12-wk, although the participants’ diversity should be considered for this difference.…”