title: Effects of a supervised home-based aerobic and progressive resistance training regimen in women infected with human immunodeficiency virus: a randomized trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Women infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) increasingly demonstrate abnormalities in fat distribution and metabolism; however, the effects of a home-based exercise regimen in this group have not been investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a 16-week randomized intervention study of a supervised home-based progressive resistance training and aerobic exercise program in 40 HIV-infected women with increased waist-hip ratio and self-reported fat redistribution. Cross-sectional muscle area and muscle attenuation were measured by computed tomography. Cardiorespiratory fitness was determined by calculated maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) and strength by 1-repetition maximum.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max) was markedly lower at baseline (median [95% confidence interval], 15.4 [8.3-25.2] mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)) than reported values for healthy female subjects (26-35 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)). Subjects randomized to exercise had significant improvement in mean +/- SEM VO2max (1.5 +/- 0.8 vs -2.5 +/- 1.6 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1); P<.001) and endurance (1.0 +/- 0.3 vs -0.6 +/- 0.3 minute; P<.001). Strength increased at the knee extensors, pectoralis, knee flexors, shoulder abductors, ankle plantar flexors, and elbow flexors (all P<.001). Total muscle area (6 +/- 1 vs 2 +/- 1 cm2; P = .02) and attenuation (2 +/- 1 vs -1 +/- 1 Hounsfield unit; P = .03) increased in the exercise group. No significant difference was seen in lipid levels, blood pressure, or abdominal visceral fat between the groups, but subjects randomized to exercise reported improved energy and appearance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A 16-week, supervised, home-based exercise regimen improved measures of physical fitness in HIV-infected women. The effects on strength were most significant, but improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness, endurance, and body composition were also seen.
authors.affiliation: Program in Nutritional Metabolism and Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114, USA.
authors.forename: Sara E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Dolan
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Frontera
authors.forename: Jamie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Librizzi
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ljungquist
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Juan
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dorman
authors.forename: Morgan E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Cole
authors.forename: Jenna R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Kanter
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grinspoon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000628:therapy*; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D010807:Physical Endurance