Strength Training Improves Body Composition, Muscle Strength and Increases CD4+ T Lymphocyte Levels in People Living with HIV/AIDS

Abstract

The establishment of physical training programs for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) has several benefits. The study aimed to analyze the effect of resistance training using prediction of intensity by subjective perception of effort (SPE) on body composition, muscle strength, and TCD4+ lymphocyte levels in PLWHA. This a randomized controlled trial study. Participants (11 men and 8 women), were divided in two groups: exercise group (EG) and control group (CG). The EG was submitted to 12 weeks of a resistance-training program based in the prediction of intensity by SPE. Body mass percentages were evaluated using tetrapolar bioelectrical impedance and skinfold methods. We used Flow Cytometry to quantify CD4+ T lymphocytes. Patients showed significant changes in Body Fat Percentage (Δ%=-6.23%), Lean Body Mass (Δ%=2.45%), and CD4T lymphocytes levels (Δ%=15.77%). They also showed significant increase in muscular strength presented in the test for one repetition maximum in all the evaluated exercises. Our data suggest that exercising program prescribed by SPE is capable of improving immune function, body composition, and muscular strength in PLWHA.

Sarcopenia and consumptive syndrome in HIV-infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy in a public hospital in Northeast Brazil

“…These results reinforce the need for better nutritional monitoring, particularly in those patients with HIV, who also present chronic diseases like DM. In addition to nutritional care, it is important to note that properly monitored exercise programs are able to preserve muscle mass, improve body composition, as well as increase the number of CD4+T cells, which contributes to improving the quality of life in the population living with HIV/AIDS 55,56 .…”

Incorporating physical activity in the comprehensive care of people living with HIV starting antiretroviral therapy: Insights from a specialized care setting in São Paulo, Brazil

“…Promotion of healthy lifestyles have thus become a priority for PLH under antiretroviral therapy (ART) as part of more comprehensive care approaches that include health promotion and engagement in physical activity (PA) [5,6]. In fact, there is evidence that combined resistance and aerobic training improve body composition, increase muscular strength, and reduce blood cholesterol of PLH [7][8][9]. In addition, training leads to increased cardiorespiratory fitness and flexibility of these patients [10][11][12][13].…”

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

“…Particularly, resistance exercise (RE) has been identified as a promising strategy to combat the damage caused by HIV in several health parameters, such as glycemic control, 19 blood pressure 20 and body composition. 21 However it is still unclear whether RE is able to modulate cognitive function in this population. In apparently healthy people, preliminary evidence has shown that chronic or acute resistance exercise induces an improvement in cognitive function, 15,[22][23][24] with the duration of the session (between 45 and 60 minutes) and the intensity (moderate or vigorous), appearing as variables that seem to moderate these changes.…”