Aerobic power and muscle strength of individuals living with HIV/AIDS.
OBJECTIVE
We wished to evaluate any continuing adverse effects upon peak aerobic power and muscle strength associated with either HAART therapy or persistently low CD4⁺ counts in men living with HIV/AIDS.


METHODS
We studied 39 HIV/AIDS patients with an average disease history of 6.1 years, and 28 normal sedentary volunteers. All subjects performed tests of peak aerobic power and isokinetic muscle force, and the HIV/AIDS group also completed the Profile of Mood States (POMS) and WHO Quality of Life questionnaires. Blood was sampled for standard measures of immune function (CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ counts) and viral load.


RESULTS
Patient values were generally as in the normal subjects and appeared to be uninfluenced by the CD4+ nadir or the use of HAART therapy. However, the isokinetic muscle strength was lower in individuals with a low current CD4⁺ count. Isokinetic strength was also negatively correlated with current CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ counts.


CONCLUSIONS
HAART therapy does not appear to have an adverse long-term effect on either aerobic power or muscle strength. Many ambulatory volunteers living with HIV/AIDS have a normal peak aerobic power. However, isokinetic strength can remain low, particularly in those with low current T-cell counts.
Department of Experimental Pathophysiology Medical School of the University of Sao PauloSao Paulo, FMUSP, Brazil - vraso@usp.br.
V
V
Raso
R J
RJ
Shephard
J S
JS
Casseb
A J
AJ
Duarte
J M D A
JM
Greve
D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*