HIV Wasting:
Progressive Resistance Exercise (PRE)
• Produces improved muscle function, increased body dimensions and mass, and strength when used alone.1, 2
• May also reduce trunk fat mass in patients with fat redistribution3
• Increases muscle mass and decreases HDL when combined with testosterone in eugonadal men with wasting4
• Increases lean tissue accrual and strength gain when combined with oxandrolone in eugonadal men with wasting5


1. Spence DW et al. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1990;71:644-8.
2. Rigsby LW et al. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1992;24:6-12.
3. Roubenoff R, et al. AIDS. 1999;13:1373-5.
4. Grinspoon S et al. Ann Intern Med. 2000;133:348-55.
5. Strawford A et al. JAMA. 1999;281:1282-90.



• Progressive resistance exercise may also benefit patients with HIV-associated wasting by improving muscle function and increasing body dimensions, mass, and strength. These benefits can be achieved by having patients engage in strength training three times a week.1, 2

• In a pilot study involving adults with HIV-associated fat redistribution, PRE was found to reduce trunk fat mass.3

• When used with testosterone in eugonadal men, PRE results in weight gain and increases in muscle mass. As a side effect of this intervention, levels of HDL cholesterol decreased.4

• PRE has also been combined with the anabolic steroid oxandrolone to treat eugonadal men with HIV-related weight loss.5 Increases in lean tissue and strength were substantial when compared to testosterone replacement alone.

References:

1. Spence DW, Galantino ML, Mossberg KA et al. Progressive resistance exercise effect on muscle function and anthropometry of a select AIDS population. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1990;71:644-8.

2. Rigsby LW, Dishman RK, Jackson AW et al. Effects of exercise training on men seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus-1. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1992;24:6-12.

3. Roubenoff R, McDermott A, Wood M et al. Feasibility of increasing lean body mass in HIV-infected adults using progressive resistance training. Program and abstracts of the 12th World AIDS Conference, Geneva, Switzerland; June 28-July 3, 1998. Abstract 42357.

4. Grinspoon S, Corcoran C, Parlman K et al. Effects of testosterone and progressive resistance training in eugonadal men with AIDS wasting. A randomized, controlled trial. Ann Intern Med. 2000;133:348-55.

5. Strawford A, Barbieri T, Van Loan M et al. Resistance exercise and supraphysiologic androgen therapy in eugonadal men with HIV-related weight loss: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 1999;281:1282-90.