Feasibility and effects of high-intensity interval training in older adults living with HIV. Issue 3 (1st February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Briggs, Brandon C.; Ryan, Alice S.; Sorkin, John D.; Oursler, Krisann K.
• Is Part Of: Journal of sports sciences. Volume 39:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 304
• Page End: 311
• Publication Date: 2021-02-01
• Subjects: high-intensity interval training (HIIT) -- Aerobic Exercise -- Cardiorespiratory Fitness -- HIV -- Ageing; Sports -- Periodicals; Sports -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Sports -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; 612.044
• DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2020.1818949
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-0414

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Adults with HIV on therapy can live a normal lifespan but exhibit advanced ageing which includes reduced cardiorespiratory fitness. Our objective was to determine the feasibility and effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) combined with resistance training (RT) in older adults with HIV. We conducted a cross-over pilot study within a randomized exercise trial in sedentary adults with HIV ≥50 years of age. First, participants were randomized to 4 months of continuous high-intensity aerobic exercise (AEX) and RT 3x/week or standard of care control. Then, the control group completed 4 months of HIIT + RT (3x/week). Among the 32 individuals enrolled, 26 eligible participants were randomized. Most participants were African American (63%) and male (95%) with a mean (SD) age of 61.5 (6.7) years and VO2 peak of 24.5 (4.9) ml/kg/min. Attendance and adherence to both exercise training interventions were high. The clinically significant increases in VO2 peak (ml/kg/min) after HIIT (3.09 ±1.04, p=0.02) and AEX (2.09 ±0.72, p=0.01) represented improvements of 17.1% and 7.7%, respectively. Both groups had improvements in exercise endurance (time on the treadmill) and strength (all p< 0.01). This pilot study supports HIIT as an efficient means to deliver high-intensity AEX to improve cardiorespiratory fitness toward the goal of attenuating the accelerated ageing process in adults with HIV.