Re-signifying HIV through exercise: from death sentence stigma to healthy self-perception

Abstract

ABSTRACT Despite HIV being considered a chronic disease and the benefits that exercise interventions can bring to HIV-infected patients, the application of physical activity is currently low. Some qualitative studies have been conducted; however, it is currently little known about the meaning of the experience of exercising in people with HIV. This hermeneutic research used 21 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with patients with this condition. The analysis was based on a grounded Theory methodology, which is theoretically supported by symbolic interactionism. It was possible to advance in re-signifying HIV from a social stigma context. This process, through exercise and social, family and medical support, comes from the breaking of individual and collective perception paradigms. Particularly, exercise changes the perspective from a HIV-infected person on the verge of death to a healthy, active and functional individual with personal goals. Thus, by contributing to functionality and health recovery, exercise re-signifies life. Moreover, commitment to physical activity goals is influenced by inner tensions that can hinder or encourage this habit and demand further research. HIV infection shifts from being a death sentence to a healthy self-perception beyond the diagnosis.