Pilot Study of the Effects of Exercise on Aging Among Older Persons With HIV

Approximately 40 individuals with HIV infection of at least 6 months duration who currently exercise infrequently will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio to either Intervention Arm (immediate exercise intervention program for 12 weeks duration), or the Control Arm (observation only for 12 weeks duration followed by treatment onset after observation is completed).

Persons assigned to the Intervention Arm will meet initially once per week with a personal trainer, and once per week in small groups with a personal trainer, for a total of two weekly sessions of assisted strength training. In addition, participants will be encouraged to engage in three sessions of aerobic exercise per week of gradually increasing intensity of about 40 minutes duration each, for the 12 week intervention period. Instruction in walking and running form and body awareness that may reduce the risk of injuries (ChiWalking and ChiRunning technique) will be provided to the Intervention Arm by a certified coach during three sessions over the course of the 12 week intervention period as part of the aerobic exercise plan.

Paid gym memberships will be provided for the 12 week treatment period for both groups (memberships for participants assigned to the Control Arm will not begin until the end of the 12 week observation period).

Data will be collected for strength training activity using the passive FitLinxx system at the study gym, and for aerobic steps and pace using accelerometers (Pebble by FitLinxx). Participants in both groups will be asked to wear accelerometers for the duration of the study period.

Participants will be evaluated at baseline, week 6 and week 12 for changes in lab values and questionnaire items. Change in fitness will be assessed using V02 max at baseline and week 12.

Inclusion criteria

• HIV-positive
• Age >=50 years on date of enrollment visit
• Less than 60min/week of vigorous exercise on average in the 90d prior to enrollment
• Able to complete study documents and activities in English (in this pilot we are only prepared to use English language questionnaires and instructional materials)
• Interested in and willing to do an exercise program
• Receiving continuous antiretroviral therapy (ART) for at least six months with an undetectable viral load at most recent clinic visit, or if not on ART then must have been off continuously for six months with no plan to start ART and have CD4 count > 400 cells/µl (to avoid enrolling patients at risk of developing opportunistic infections or other HIV-associated illnesses).

Exclusion criteria

• Medical conditions likely to limit the ability to participate in the planned exercise, including renal failure (creatinine > 2 mg/dl, congestive heart failure, significant lung disease, or severe osteoarthritis, Any health condition(s) that the study physician determines would preclude safe participation in the intervention or may require special modification of the exercise protocol (e.g. angina or myocardial infarction in the past 6 months)
• Substantial deconditioning or current impairment of physical function; this will be tested for by assessing whether patients can climb up and back down one flight of stairs (approximately 3 meters of elevation gain) without stopping 8.
• Unable or unwilling to actively participate in the intervention for the duration of the pilot study
• Unable to provide informed consent.