AEGiS-11IAC: Physical fitness testing in patients with HIV/AIDS: poor initial performance with improvement on follow-up.

11th International AIDS Conference

Vancouver, British Columbia — July 7-12, 1996

Physical fitness testing in patients with HIV/AIDS: poor initial performance with improvement on follow-up.

Int Conf AIDS 1996 Jul 7-12; 11:444 (abstract no. Pub.B.1040)
Scott MK, Torburn L, Neal BA, Kriegsman C, Morgan D, Koch J; Myron Scott, Div. of GI, San Francisco, CA. Fax: (415) 641-0745. E-mail: hannos@itsa.ucsf.edu.

Purpose: To evaluate the strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness of individuals infected with HIV and determine the impact of a structured exercise program.

METHODS: Individuals followed in the gastroenterology-nutrition clinic were asked to undergo a fitness evaluation. In accordance with the Young Men's Christian Association's (YMCA) standard evaluation for physical fitness, all subjects underwent 4 fitness tests in random order: 3-minute step test, maximum bench press repetitions with an 801b. barbell, 1-minute of maximum repetition sit-ups, and trunk flexibility. Lean body mass and fat stores were estimated from anthropometric measures. Heart rate and oxygen saturation were measured using a pulse oximeter monitor before, during and after the step test. Results for each fitness test, body fat percentage, and resting heart rate were ranked according to the YMCA's age adjusted standards. Total CD4 lymphocyte count (cells/mm3) measurements nearest to the date of the fitness evaluation were used for comparisons. All subjects were instructed on an aerobic and general strengthening exercise program and asked to return within 1 month for repeat evaluation.

RESULTS: Twenty-six individuals (25 men and 1 woman- ages 29 to 53) completed the fitness evaluation, only 7 individuals (27%) returned for follow-up evaluation. Nine individuals (35%) had an AIDS-defining illness, 6 (23%) had a CD4 count less than 200 but no opportunistic infection, and 11 (42%) had a CD4 greater than 200; 8 individuals exercised regularly prior to the initial evaluation. The mean ( plus or minus standard deviation) for the age and sex adjusted percentile for 26 initial and 7 follow-up evaluations are shown. The mean resting heart rate (RHR) was 90 ( plus or minus 14) beats per minute. (table: see text)

CONCLUSION: Individuals with HIV/AIDS exhibit poor overall fitness by YMCA age adjusted standards. Mean resting heart rate was elevated indicative of poor baseline function. Although follow-up was limited, a modest, yet significant, improvement was demonstrable within 1 month.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Physical Fitness, Exercise, Pliability, CD4 Lymphocyte Count, Exercise Test, Heart Rate, Body Composition, HIV Infections, Exercise Therapy, Program Evaluation, Cardiovascular Physiology, Rest, Human, Male, Female, physiology, rehabilitation, ICA11

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PubB1040