Evaluating a Community-Based Exercise Intervention With Adults Living With HIV: An Interrupted Time Series Study

Investigators will use the RE-AIM Framework to evaluate the community-based exercise (CBE) intervention. The RE-AIM Framework includes criteria to evaluate the impact and translation of an intervention at both individual and organizational-levels in order to promote uptake, transferability and ultimately enhance the public health impact of health promotion interventions.

Specific study objectives are: 1) To determine the extent (proportion of sessions attended, frequency, intensity, time, type) to which adults with HIV participate in a CBE intervention; 2) To assess the effect of a CBE intervention on disability and health outcomes and intrinsic and extrinsic factor outcomes for people living with HIV; 3) To assess engagement in CBE for adults with HIV over time (adherence, level of physical activity); and 4) To evaluate the process (strengths and challenges; feasibility; accessibility, long term sustainability) of implementing a CBE intervention within the community from the perspective of recreation providers (fitness instructors; managers) and people living with HIV.

Investigators will conduct a prospective longitudinal study using mixed methods to evaluate a CBE intervention in the community with people living with HIV. They will use an interrupted time series (ITS) design in combination with qualitative interviews to assess outcomes at baseline (pre-testing phase), during (intervention phase) and after the CBE intervention (post-testing phase) to evaluate the short- and long-term effect of CBE.

Inclusion criteria

• Adults (18 years and older) living with HIV in Toronto who consider themselves medically stable and safe to engage in exercise and who are willing to participate in a 22 month study involving a 14 month CBE intervention at the YMCA.

Exclusion criteria

• Not applicable.