Effects of low volume high intensity interval training in Hispanic HIV+ Women: a non-randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Low cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is usually observed in people living with HIV (PLWH). The effect of a low-volume high intensity interval training (LV-HIIT) on CRF in HIV+ and HIV- Hispanic women was evaluated in this study. SETTING: A non-randomized clinical trial with pre and post-test using a LV-HIIT intervention was conducted in the AIDS Clinical Trials Unit (ACTU) and the Puerto Rico Clinical and Translational Research Consortium (PRCTRC) at the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus. METHODS: 29 HIV+ and 13 HIV- Hispanic women recruited from community-based programs and clinics, and able to engage in daily physical activities, volunteered to participate. Of these, 20 HIV+ (69%) and 11 HIV- (85%) completed the study and were included in the analyses. LV-HIIT consisted of 6-weeks, 3 days/week, 8-10 high and low intensity intervals on a cycle-ergometer at 80-90% of heart rate reserve. Main outcome measures were CRF (defined as VO2peak), peak workload, and time to peak exercise. RESULTS: Average peak workload and time to peak exercise increased after training (P<0.05) in both groups. However, average CRF was significantly higher after training only in the HIV- group. Gains in CRF were observed in 100% of HIV- and 50% of HIV+ women. This was not influenced by exercise testing, habitual physical activity, or anthropometric variables. CONCLUSION: Given the lack of change in CRF observed in the HIV+ group post LV-HIIT intervention, it is important to focus on variations that may occur within groups.