Evidence-informed practical recommendations for increasing physical activity among persons living with HIV

Topic: Health services, long-term care and technology

Non-ART polypharmacy is common among PLWH and associated with an increasing risk of hospitalization and mortality [1]; thus, nonpharmacologic management of comorbidities is critical for PLWH who may experience an earlier onset and a greater burden of comorbidities. Despite limited engagement in physical activity, results of a qualitative study found that PLWH understood the health promotion benefits of physical activity and thought physical activity should be a greater priority in their life [48].Table 1: Summary of key findings from published studies (2009–2018) investigating the effects of physical activity on different body systems among adults living with HIV.Table 1: (Continued) Summary of key findings from published studies (2009–2018) investigating the effects of physical activity on different body systems among adults living with HIV.Alternative types of physical activity In addition to traditional aerobic (e.g. walking, biking and swimming) and resistance exercises (Table 1), lower intensity physical activity such as yoga is associated with positive benefits among PLWH, including an improvement in quality of life [8], reduction of depressive symptoms [9] and reduction of blood pressure [9,49]. Tai Chi was also associated with improved well being and balance in PLWH [50]. The benefits of high-intensity exercise are similarly evident: Erlandson et al.[10] recently demonstrated that among older PLWH, high-intensity aerobic and resistance exercise (based on target heart rate and resistance load) improved endurance and strength to a similar, if not greater, extent than moderate-intensity exercise. Oursler et al.[51] similarly demonstrated significant gains in endurance among older PLWH exercising at a higher than a more moderate-intensity aerobic programme. Intrapersonal barriers In a systematic review of 45 studies of physical activity in PLWH [53], lower engagement in physical activity was consistently associated with demographic (i.e. older age and fewer years of formal education), HIV-specific and biologic (i.e. being on ART, lower CD4+ T-cell counts, lipodystrophy, lower cardiorespiratory fitness and opportunistic infections) and psychological (i.e. lower motivation, depression and worse self-perceived physical function) variables. Interviews of PLWH who participated in a community-based exercise programme, however, indicated that participants found the environment less stigmatizing than initially feared, suggesting the malleability of social dete

Key findings

• Non-ART polypharmacy is common among PLWH and associated with an increasing risk of hospitalization and mortality [1]; thus, nonpharmacologic management of comorbidities is critical for PLWH who may experience an earlier onset and a greater burden of comorbidities.
• Despite limited engagement in physical activity, results of a qualitative study found that PLWH understood the health promotion benefits of physical activity and thought physical activity should be a greater priority in their life [48].Table 1: Summary of key findings from published studies (2009–2018) investigating the effects of physical activity on different body systems among adults living with HIV.Table 1: (Continued) Summary of key findings from published studies (2009–2018) investigating the effects of physical activity on different body systems among adults living with HIV.Alternative types of physical activity In addition to traditional aerobic (e.g. walking, biking and swimming) and resistance exercises (Table 1), lower intensity physical activity such as yoga is associated with positive benefits among PLWH, including an improvement in quality of life [8], reduction of depressive symptoms [9] and reduction of blood pressure [9,49].
• Tai Chi was also associated with improved well being and balance in PLWH [50].
• The benefits of high-intensity exercise are similarly evident: Erlandson et al.[10] recently demonstrated that among older PLWH, high-intensity aerobic and resistance exercise (based on target heart rate and resistance load) improved endurance and strength to a similar, if not greater, extent than moderate-intensity exercise.
• Oursler et al.[51] similarly demonstrated significant gains in endurance among older PLWH exercising at a higher than a more moderate-intensity aerobic programme.

Study details

• Study designsystematic review
• Evidence strengthHigh

Read the original

• DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000002137
• PubMed: 30946147
• Original source →

Free copy unknown: no free-copy check has an answer for this record yet. That does not mean it is paywalled.

@article{montoya2019-30946147,
  author  = {Montoya, Jessica L. and Jankowski, Catherine M. and O’Brien, Kelly Kathleen and Webel, Allison R. and Oursler, Krisann K. and Henry, Brook L. and Moore, David J. and Erlandson, Kristine Mace},
  title   = {{Evidence-informed practical recommendations for increasing physical activity among persons living with HIV}},
  journal = {AIDS},
  year    = {2019},
  doi     = {10.1097/qad.0000000000002137},
  pmid    = {30946147},
  url     = {https://doi.org/10.1097/qad.0000000000002137}
}

Related studies in Cognitive tests and assessment

• Conceptualization of an evidence-based smartphone innovation for caregivers and persons living with dementia Technology and health care : official journal of the European Society for Engineering and Medicine · 2016-09-01 · usefulness score 40/100
• Psychometric properties of International HIV Dementia Scale as screening tool for neurocognitive disorder among people living with HIV/AIDS Scientific Reports · 2025-10-29 · usefulness score 42/100
• Effects of physical activity training in patients with Alzheimer's dementia: results of a pilot RCT study PloS one · 2015-04-17 · usefulness score 61/100
• Accelerometry-Measured Physical Activity Predicts Dementia Onset in a National Cohort of Older Adults medRxiv · 2025-12-09 · usefulness score 16/100
• Physical and cognitive domains of the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living: validation in a multiethnic population of Asian older adults The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences · 2006-07-01 · usefulness score 47/100
• Increasing participant diversity in AD research: Plans for digital screening, blood testing, and a community-engaged approach in the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative 4 Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association · 2022-10-09 · usefulness score 74/100

Similar studies

• Routine Assessment and Promotion of Physical Activity in Healthcare Settings: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association 2018 · Prevention trials
• Brief Communication: Frailty and Neurocognitive Impairment in Older People Living with HIV: A Cross-Sectional Study from Southeastern Brazil 2026 · Risk factors
• Obesity, Vascular Disease and Frailty in Aging Women with HIV 2021 · Risk factors
• A systematic review of physical activity and quality of life and well-being 2020 · Prevention trials
• [Physical Activity and Mental Health in the Elderly] 2022 · Risk factors
• Exercise as a prescription for patients with various diseases 2019 · Prevention trials

More on Cognitive tests and assessment

• Newest in this subject A digital programme to prevent falls and improve wellbeing in people living with dementia in the community: Quantitative results from the KOKU-LITE feasibility study medRxiv · 2026-10-29 · Preprint — not yet peer-reviewed · usefulness score 16/100
• Newest in this subject Factors Influencing the Implementation of Computerized Cognitive Training in Chinese Community-Dwelling Elderly: A Qualitative Study Research Square · 2026-10-28 · Preprint — not yet peer-reviewed · usefulness score 16/100

See all studies in Cognitive tests and assessment →