Effects of a resistance training programme in people living with HIV in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) increases life expectancy in people living with HIV (PLWH). However, receiving cART coupled with physical inactivity increases the risk of developing non-communicable diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of resistance training (RT) on body composition, laboratory analysis and strength values in PLWH receiving cART in Zimbabwe. One-hundred and twenty-eight PLWH receiving cART, aged 18–45 years were purposely recruited to saturation. Two districts in Zimbabwe were used, participants in Budiriro were randomly assigned for convenience to an experimental (EXP) group (n = 64) performing RT 3 days/week and participants in Mabvuku to a control (CON) group (n = 64) for 12 weeks of no exercise. Body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, percentage body fat, lean body mass (body composition), laboratory analysis profiles and one-repetition maximum (1RM) strength were measured at baseline (BL) and after 12 weeks (W12) in both groups. In the EXP group W12, lean body mass increased (p < .001), fasting blood glucose decreased (p < .001), fasting total blood cholesterol decreased (p < .001), 66% of participants improved resting blood pressure and 1RM muscular strength increased (p < .001). These findings highlight the benefits of RT for PLWH receiving cART. This demonstrates the need for additional public health initiatives involving RT in this population in sub-Saharan Africa.