HIV-infected individuals are frequently active, but guidelines for exercise in this
population lack scientific support, since studies on the effects of exercise training
on immunologic variables of HIV-1 positive individuals have shown conflicting results.
Exercise capacity, immunologic markers (CD4, CD8 and CD4:CD8 ratio), anthropometric
measurements, and depression scores were evaluated to compare the effects of two intensities
of aerobic exercise on HIV-1 seropositive individuals. Twenty-one healthy subjects
(14 men, 7 women), carriers of the HIV-1 virus (CD4 > 200 cells·mm-3), and inactive for at least 6 months, completed a 12 week exercise training program
(36 sessions of 1 h, 3 times per week), in a moderate intensity group (60±4 % of maximal
heart rate) or a high intensity group (84±4 % of maximal heart rate). Exercise capacity
estimated by treadmill time was increased significantly in both moderate intensity
(680±81 s before; 750±151 s after) and high intensity (651±122 s before; 841±158 s
after) groups, but the high intensity group presented a significantly larger increment
(p<0.01). There were no significant changes in the immunologic variables, anthropometric
measurements or depression scores. Thus, HIV-seropositive individuals that participate
in moderate and high intensity exercise programs are able to increase their functional
capacity without any detectable changes in immunologic variables, anthropometric measurements
or depression scores.
Key words
Exercise capacity - CD4 T-lymphocytes - CD4:CD8 ratio - Montgomery-Asberg depression
scores - body composition
