HIV infection, exercise, and immune function

Decreased physical endurance is viewed by both HIV-infected people and their primary nurses as a major healthcare problem. There is a widespread belief among HIV-infected people that the way to improve their endurance is through exercise. Yet healthcare providers are divided about the role of exercise. This paper presents an overview of decreased endurance as a major problem in this population, with a review of the literature on exercise in healthy and chronically-ill populations, including those with HIV infection, and its effect on immune function.