Effects of Supervised Exercise on Physical Health and Quality of Life Among Older HIV Adults

It is a randomized controlled trial. HIV-infected adults were recruited from a community-based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) for HIV patient services.They were randomized into exercise group or control group by drawing lots which contained equal number of orange balls (exercise) and white balls (control)

The participants in exercise group performed an 8-week, 2 times/week supervised exercise program in the community day center of the recruiting NGO. Exercise sessions were organized in a group of 2 to 3 participants. The exercises were supervised by a registered physiotherapist to ensure exercise safety and quality. Exercise intensity was moderate. We monitored the heart rate of participants during exercise and maintained around 50% to 70% of maximum heart rate. Blood pressure and oxygen saturation were also checked for safety purposes. The mode of exercise was combined aerobic and resistance training. It involved upper and lower limbs cycling, treadmill walking, multi-gym strengthening, stepper exercise, dumb bell and squatting exercise. The duration for each exercise session was around 45 minutes. Duration and intensity of exercises were adjusted depending on the tolerance and physical capacity of each participant. In the control group, participants were not given any supervised exercises. They were advised to continue their routine daily activities and self exercises. Control group participants were allowed to join into the same training program after the research had finished.

Outcomes were measured for both groups at baseline and after 8 weeks in the same community day center. A research assistant who was blinded for the participants grouping was responsible for data collection. Physical health parameters included grip strength, 30 seconds chair stand and 6 minutes-walk test. Health related quality of life was measured by Short Form-36 questionnaire (SF-36). Subjective improvement was taken in form of Likert scale, from -100% to +100% with 10% interval in each possible response.

At the end of the program, all participants from exercise group were interviewed individually by principle investigator to allow feedbacks.