Prolonged and Shorter Aerobic Exercise Training in HIV

The purpose of this review was to determine whether prolonged aerobic exercise training was as safe and effective as shorter aerobic exercise training. Shorter time period studies up to and including four months were summarized for aerobic exercise training parameters and results. Similarly, aerobic exercise training studies that were six and more months were also summarized. Predicted or measured maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) results for the shorter term studies generally ranged from 10-29%. All the studies used 3x/wk. as a training frequency. Aerobic exercise training intensity averaged 75% of predicted heart rate (PHR) maximum and exercise duration ranged from 20-60 minutes. Since many of the subjects were on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), blood lipids and body fat abnormalities were prevalent. In the few shorter aerobic exercise training studies to measure lipids and body fat, there appeared to be a favorable effect. Prolonged aerobic exercise training results were sparse. Studies indicated similar training parameters with the exception of using a higher aerobic training intensity for one study. VO2max results for the higher intensity study demonstrated a higher aerobic fitness than other studies. All the prolonged aerobic exercise regimes increased VO2max similar to the shorter term studies or maintained higher levels of aerobic fitness. Triglyceride levels were elevated and unfavorably increased during prolonged aerobic training. Body fat was favorably modified in another prolonged study in spite of HAART. Considering the paucity of studies it appears that prolonged aerobic exercise training is equally safe and effective as compared to shorter aerobic exercise training.