Anaerobic power and muscle strength in human immunodeficiency virus-positive preadolescents

To determine the anaerobic power and muscle strength of preadolescents with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Cross-sectional design.

Human performance laboratory at the University District Hospital at the Puerto Rico Medical Center.

Fifteen preadolescents (8 girls and 7 boys) with a classification of HIV A and B attending an investigational treatment program at the University Pediatric Hospital. Fifteen seronegative control subjects matched by age and gender also were included.

The power of the lower extremities was measured with use of the Wingate Anaerobic Power Test on a MONARK cycle ergometer (mean power in watts). Local muscle strength of the dominant knee extensors (peak torque/body weight × 100) was tested with an isokinetic dynamometer set at 60 deg/s. Statistical analysis was performed with the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and statistical significance was accepted at an α level of <.05.

No significant differences between the control group and study group were detected on muscle strength testing. The study group presented a lower anaerobic power (mean power) compared with control subjects (P = .04).

This exploratory study suggests that HIV-infected preadolescents present lower anaerobic power compared with uninfected control subjects. Our findings of impaired anaerobic capacity can have clinical implications in this population because most of the activities of daily living, such as play, leisure, and sport activities, are short term and high intensity (anaerobic) in nature.