Progressive resistance exercise: effect on muscle function and anthropometry of a select AIDS population

Substantial body tissue wasting has been reported in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if progressive resistance exercise (PRE) would improve muscle function and increase body dimensions and mass in AIDS patients. The subjects were 24 male outpatient volunteers, status posttherapy for acute pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Subjects were randomly assigned to control (n = 12) or experimental (n = 12) subsets. All subjects underwent muscle function testing on 12 variables of torque, force, power, and work; three variables of anthropometry were assessed. The experimental group engaged in PRE three times per week for six weeks. The control group did not exercise beyond their usual daily living activities. Both groups were retested at the end of six weeks. In comparison to the control group, the experimental group significantly increased in 13 of the 15 study variables. Thus, during the nonacute stage of AIDS, physiologic adaptation occurred that improved muscle function and increased body dimensions and mass.