Physical Activity Patterns and Health-Related Fitness Indicators in Adults Living with HIV in South Texas

Abstract

Purpose: People living with HIV (PLHIV) are at an increased risk for many chronic diseases due, in part, to low physical activity (PA) levels. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between physical activity patterns and health-related fitness indicators of adults living with HIV in South Texas. Methods: Participants ('N' = 172) were mostly Hispanic/Latino ('n' = 105) adults with HIV. Measurements included a 7-day Physical Activity Recall (PAR) assessing light, moderate, and vigorous PA; a 6-minute walk test (6MWT) to assess cardiovascular fitness; a hand grip strength test to assess muscular strength; a back scratch test for flexibility; and anthropometrics (body mass index (BMI) and hip-waist ratio). Data were analyzed utilizing descriptive statistics, an independent samples t-test, Pearson’s correlations and partial correlations, and a hierarchical multiple regression analysis (HMRA). Results: There was a significant relationship between total PA and muscular strength. Light and total PA were associated with lower hip-waist ratios. In Hispanics/Latinos, both moderate and total PA were associated with muscular strength. All findings remained after controlling for age. Hispanics/Latinos had higher hip-waist ratios than non-Hispanics/Latinos. Conclusions: Results suggest a relationship between PA and muscular strength as well as between PA and hip-waist ratio for this population of adults living with HIV, but not between PA and other health-related fitness indicators. There appears to be some benefit associated with even low intensity PA for PLHIV. Future intervention studies may wish to examine strategies to increase PA- particularly that of moderate and vigorous intensity- in PLHIV.

Keywords

• physical fitness
• cardiovascular fitness
• muscular strength
• flexibility
• people living with hiv (plhiv)