title: Effects of an exercise programme with people living with HIV: research in a disadvantaged setting.
abstract: This study aimed to analyse the physical health effects of a community based 10-week physical activity programme with people living with HIV. It was developed, implemented and evaluated in a disadvantaged community in South Africa. A pre-post research design was chosen. Major recruitment and adherence challenges resulted in a small sample. Among the 23 participants who took part in both baseline and final testing, compliant participants (n = 12) were compared to non-compliant participants (n = 11). Immunological (CD4, viral load), anthropometric (height, weight, skinfolds and waist to hip ratio), muscular strength (h1RM) and cardiopulmonary fitness (time on treadmill) parameters were measured. The compliant and non-compliant groups were not different at baseline. Muscular strength was the parameter most influenced by compliance with the physical activity programme (F = 4.516, p = 0.047). Weight loss and improvement in cardiopulmonary fitness were restricted by the duration of the programme, compliance and influencing factors (e.g. nutrition, medication). The increase in strength is significant and meaningful in the context, as the participants' goals were to look healthy and strong to avoid HIV related stigma. The improvements in appearance were a motivational factor, especially since the changes were made visible in a short time. Practical implications for health promotion are described. More research contextualised in disadvantaged settings is needed.
authors.affiliation: a Universität Wien, Institut für Sportwissenschaft , Auf der Schmelz 6a, 1150 Wien , Austria.
authors.forename: Clemens
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ley
authors.forename: Lloyd
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Leach
authors.forename: María Rato
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Barrio
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bassett
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D053580:Muscle Strength; D013019:South Africa; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: South Africa; exercise; health; health promotion; intervention study; movement; sport