Physical activity correlates in people living with HIV/AIDS: a systematic review of 45 studies.
Understanding barriers and facilitators of physical activity participation in persons living with HIV/AIDS is an essential first step in order to devise effective interventions. The present review provides a systematic quantitative review of the physical activity correlates in people with HIV/AIDS.



Major electronic databases were searched till August 2016. Keywords included "physical activity" or "exercise" or "sports" and "AIDS" or "HIV".



Out of 55 correlates from 45 studies (N = 13,167; mean age range = 30.5-58.3 years; 63.2% male) five consistent (i.e., reported in four or more studies) correlates were identified. Lower levels of physical activity were consistently associated with older age (6/10 studies), a lower educational level (6/7), a lower number of CD4 cells/μl (7/11), exposure to antiviral therapy (4/6), and the presence of lipodystrophy (4/4). Other important barriers were the presence of bodily pain (2/2), depression (3/3), and opportunistic infections (3/4). Facilitators were a higher cardiorespiratory fitness level (3/3), a higher self-efficacy (2/2), more perceived benefits (2/2), and a better health motivation (3/3).



The current review has elucidated that participation in physical activity by people with HIV/AIDS is associated with a range of complex factors which should be considered in rehabilitation programs. Implications for Rehabilitation Health care professionals should consider HIV-related bodily pain and feelings of depression when assisting people living with HIV in inititiating and maintaining an active lifestyle. Interventions to improve self-efficacy and motivation, and to help people living with HIV in understanding the benefits of exercise, may encourage greater participation.
a Department of Rehabilitation Sciences , KU Leuven - University of Leuven , Leuven , Belgium.|b University Psychiatric Center KU Leuven, KU Leuven - University of Leuven , Leuven-Kortenberg , Belgium.
Davy
D
Vancampfort
c Butabika National Referral and Mental Health Hospital , Kampala , Uganda.|d Department of Sociology and Social Administration, Kyambogo University , Kampala , Uganda.
James
J
Mugisha
e School of Public Health & Charles Perkins Centre , University of Sydney , Sydney , NSW , Australia.
Justin
J
Richards
b University Psychiatric Center KU Leuven, KU Leuven - University of Leuven , Leuven-Kortenberg , Belgium.
Marc
M
De Hert
a Department of Rehabilitation Sciences , KU Leuven - University of Leuven , Leuven , Belgium.
Michel
M
Probst
f Department of Physiotherapy , South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust , London , UK.|g Department of Health Service and Population Research , King's College London , De Crespigny Park , London , UK.
Brendon
B
Stubbs
D000367:Age Factors; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D000072599:Cardiorespiratory Fitness; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D004522:Educational Status; D015444:Exercise; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008060:Lipodystrophy / Q000150:complications; D009042:Motivation; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000150:complications; D010146:Pain / Q000150:complications; D020377:Self Efficacy
D000998:Antiviral Agents
AIDS; HIV; Physical activity; exercise; physiotherapy