Effects of a resistance exercise intervention programme on body composition, chronic disease risks and strength scores in people living with HIV and Aids (PLWHA) receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Zimbabwe.
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Date
2017
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Abstract
Introduction
People living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) increases their life
expectancy. Receiving ART coupled with physical inactivity results in increase in prevalence of
hyperlipidaemia, obesity and overweight, type 2 diabetes mellitus, lipodystrophy, decrease in mineral
bone density and hypertension among others. Resistance exercise (RE) interventions address chronic
disease risks affecting PLWHA receiving ART.
Aim
The study investigated the effect of RE on body composition, chronic disease risks and strength scores
in PLWHA receiving ART.
Methods
The study followed an experimental, pre-and-post-test design. The sample constituted 128 PLWHA, of
black African ethnic groups, aged between 18-45 years and receiving ART. The participants were
recruited from Glenview and Mabvuku suburbs in Harare. The participants from Glenview were
randomly allocated to an experimental group i.e. the EXP group (n=64) performing REs three days per
week and those from Mabvuku to a control group i.e. the CON group (n=64) for 12 weeks following a
pre-test session. Body composition (waist-to-hip ratio, body mass index, percentage body fat, fat mass,
lean body mass), chronic disease risks (fasting blood glucose, fasting total blood cholesterol, blood
pressure) and strength (1RM tests) scores were pre-and-post-test measured in all participants observing
standard protocols. Chi-square, Fisher’s test, linear regression, Binomial test, Spearman’s and
Pearson’s correlations were conducted. SPSS statistical package version 22 was used and significance
set at p<0.05.
Results
Post-test body composition scores remained high in the CON group (n=64), but improved significantly
(p<.0005) in the EXP group (n=64). Significant differences (p<.0005) were noted in post-test chronic
disease risks between the EXP group (n=64) and the CON group (n=64). Post-test fasting blood
glucose and fasting total blood cholesterol scores in the CON group (n=64) were significantly higher
(p<.0005) than in the EXP group (n=64). A 100% of the CON group (n=64) participants remained
with pre-hypertension at post-test, while 66% of the EXP group (n=64) with hypertension 2 improved
to hypertension 1.
Strength scores in the EXP group (n=64) participants significantly increased (p<.0005) for bench
press, squat, bicep curl and leg curls than in the CON group (n=64). There were no effects of gender
in respect of fasting blood glucose and total fasting blood cholesterol scores in both groups at post-test.
Conclusion
The results showed that the 12 week RE intervention programme improved body composition, chronic
disease risk and strength scores in PLWHA receiving ART. Resistance exercise is safe and beneficial
for PLWHA in resource-constrained settings. Policy makers may utilise this information to include RE
programmes for PLWHA as a healthy lifestyle intervention in Zimbabwe.
Keywords
HIV, ART, Chronic disease risks, Resistance exercise, Body composition, Strength.
Description
Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.