Relationships Between Physical Activity and Bone Density in People Living with HIV: Results from the SATURN-HIV Study

We conducted a cross-sectional secondary analysis of baseline data from the SATURN-HIV study (N = 147; 78% male, 68% Black, median body mass index [BMI] 26.72 kg/m², 13% with osteopenia, HIV-1 RNA < 1,000 copies/mL, stable antiretroviral therapy [ART]) to explore the relationship between physical activity (PA) and bone mineral density (BMD). We measured self-reported minutes of PA and BMD in the overall sample and subgroups based on national recommendations (≥150 minutes/week). Forty-one (28%) participants met recommended PA levels. Higher intensity PA was associated with higher BMD at the total hip (r = 0.27, p = .09; n = 41; 28%) and lumbar spine (r = 0.32, p < .05), and predicted higher BMD at the hip (p < .01; controlling for age, BMI, ART). Lumbar spine BMD did not retain significance in the regression model. Moderate-to-high intensity PA could prevent or mitigate excessive bone loss in people living with HIV.