The HIV infection is now being seen as a chronic rather than life-threatening disease. This new outlook has helped us to recognise the value of physical activity in the management of HIV infection.

Physical exercise is being used to improve the psychological and physiological status of HIV-positive individuals. Exercising also improves their fitness level, quality of life and immune-system function.

Aerobic-exercise training facilitates the production of antibodies which are integral aspects of the immune system's function. Regular endurance or aerobic exercises increase the quantity of antibodies produced. This decreases the risk of HIV infection in people who are HIV negative as well as the transmission of the disease.

Research findings have confirmed an increase in the antibody production in healthy HIV-positive individuals who participate in regular exercise. In comparison, HIV-positive people who were otherwise healthy and had not been involved in physical exercise show significantly lower quantities of antibody production. The increased production of antibodies in people who are HIV-positive can reduce HIV disease progression and improve their immune-system status.

Loss of muscle mass

The ravages of HIV infection can lead to the loss of muscle mass, muscle strength, cardiovascular endurance and other structural and functional impairment. These issues are quite similar to those that affect people who live a sedentary lifestyle. Thus, the intervention of an appropriate exercise prescription should be quite successful in the management of HIV risk factors. This indicates the need for an exercise expert who can develop the prescription in conjunction with the medical parameters of the HIV-infected individual. The prescription should assist in reversing the general deterioration in health while facilitating the regeneration of muscle mass and muscle strength of the infected individual.

Medical clearance

Medical clearance of the infected individual is usually required before his or her involvement in exercise. This clearance will avoid any contraindications to physical activity. The individual's medication could also be antagonistic to specific exercise prescriptions.

People who are HIV-positive have been involved in aerobic exercise activities at all levels. This is a good indication that it is safe and helpful for HIV-positive people to get involved in physical activities as long as the necessary guidelines are adhered to.

HIV-positive people involved in aerobics have shown improvement in their tolerance to fatigue, increased their oxygen consumption and improved their ability to resume or do work. They have also adapted quite efficiently to the challenges of high-intensity exercises when this is preceded by low-intensity to moderate exercise programmes.

Many HIV-positive individuals who are involved in regular exercise programmes are now the beneficiaries of successful and productive lives.

Dr Kenneth Gardner is an exercise physiologist at Holiday Hills Research Center. Email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.