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Background <p>As life expectancy for people living with HIV (PWH) has increased, there has been a rise in age-related comorbidities such as hypertension. Exercise is an important nonpharmacological strategy to counter such adverse effects of chronic HIV infection. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been demonstrated to be safe and efficacious in improving health outcomes in individuals with chronic illness, but data are limited in older PWH and co-morbid conditions. The primary objective of this pilot feasibility study was to assess the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of a 6-week HIIT intervention among older PWH and co-occurring hypertension.</p> Methods <p>PWH were recruited from a local HIV/AIDS Clinic for a 6-week, center-based HIIT exercise intervention involving twice-weekly aerobic exercise on an upright cycle ergometer, monitored by exercise physiologists. The primary endpoint of the study was the feasibility (e.g., consent rate, attendance, adherence, dropout rate) and participant perceived benefits and barriers assessed via the Exercise Benefits and Barriers Scale. Additional endpoints included cardiorespiratory fitness (6-min walk test [6MWT]), changes in blood pressure (BP), anthropometrics (body mass index [BMI]), and ratings of pain.</p> Results <p>A total of 26 PWH were contacted, and 13 agreed to participate and were enrolled in the study. Ten of the 13 participants (76.9%) completed the study, and, on average, the completers were 60.5 years old, 50% Black, and 60% male. Reasons for dropping out of the study include the following: (1) foot pain; (2) distance; and (3) time commitment. Feasibility outcomes were as follows: 50% consent rate; 86.7% attendance rate, 100% protocol adherence; 23.1% dropout rate. The participants perceived exercise more positively and perceived fewer barriers to exercise following the exercise intervention. BP and BMI both decreased following the intervention, while distance walked during the 6MWT declined following the intervention.</p> Conclusions <p>Overall, this pilot feasibility study suggests that a short-term exercise program is feasible for older PWH and co-occurring hypertension and may improve BP, BMI, and perceptions of exercise. While the program was safe and participants showed some improvements, incorporating approaches to enhance recruitment and adherence is critical. These preliminary findings are exploratory and descriptive in nature and support the need for larger, randomized trials with longer follow-up.</p> Trial registration <p>The trial is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06888596). Retrospectively registered March 13, 2025.</p>

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Feasibility of high-intensity interval training in older adults with HIV and co-occurring hypertension

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月31日

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  • Michael J. Hankes,
  • Taylor L. Taylor,
  • Emily L. Zumbro,
  • Ene M. Enogela,
  • Fitzgerald Dodds,
  • McKenna Tharpe,
  • Silvienne C. Sint Jago,
  • Burel R. Goodin,
  • Amanda L. Willig,
  • Thomas W. Buford,
  • Raymond Jones

摘要

Background

As life expectancy for people living with HIV (PWH) has increased, there has been a rise in age-related comorbidities such as hypertension. Exercise is an important nonpharmacological strategy to counter such adverse effects of chronic HIV infection. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been demonstrated to be safe and efficacious in improving health outcomes in individuals with chronic illness, but data are limited in older PWH and co-morbid conditions. The primary objective of this pilot feasibility study was to assess the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of a 6-week HIIT intervention among older PWH and co-occurring hypertension.

Methods

PWH were recruited from a local HIV/AIDS Clinic for a 6-week, center-based HIIT exercise intervention involving twice-weekly aerobic exercise on an upright cycle ergometer, monitored by exercise physiologists. The primary endpoint of the study was the feasibility (e.g., consent rate, attendance, adherence, dropout rate) and participant perceived benefits and barriers assessed via the Exercise Benefits and Barriers Scale. Additional endpoints included cardiorespiratory fitness (6-min walk test [6MWT]), changes in blood pressure (BP), anthropometrics (body mass index [BMI]), and ratings of pain.

Results

A total of 26 PWH were contacted, and 13 agreed to participate and were enrolled in the study. Ten of the 13 participants (76.9%) completed the study, and, on average, the completers were 60.5 years old, 50% Black, and 60% male. Reasons for dropping out of the study include the following: (1) foot pain; (2) distance; and (3) time commitment. Feasibility outcomes were as follows: 50% consent rate; 86.7% attendance rate, 100% protocol adherence; 23.1% dropout rate. The participants perceived exercise more positively and perceived fewer barriers to exercise following the exercise intervention. BP and BMI both decreased following the intervention, while distance walked during the 6MWT declined following the intervention.

Conclusions

Overall, this pilot feasibility study suggests that a short-term exercise program is feasible for older PWH and co-occurring hypertension and may improve BP, BMI, and perceptions of exercise. While the program was safe and participants showed some improvements, incorporating approaches to enhance recruitment and adherence is critical. These preliminary findings are exploratory and descriptive in nature and support the need for larger, randomized trials with longer follow-up.

Trial registration

The trial is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06888596). Retrospectively registered March 13, 2025.