ANTHROPOMETRIC CHANGES FOLLOWING AEROBIC AND RESISTANCE TRAINING PROGRAMMES AMONG HIV-SEROPOSITIVE FEMALE PATIENTS

This study was designed to assess the changes in anthropometric parameters of HIV-seropositive patients following 6-week aerobic and resistance exercise training. The pretest-posttest control-group design (experimental and control groups) was adopted. 60 female HIV-seropositive patients in stage 1 and 2 of the disease registered in University of Benin Teaching Hospital participated in the study. They were randomly assigned into control (19) and experimental groups (25). The experimental group exercised for One hour, three times a week for six weeks while the control group continued with their regular medications and counseling. The baseline intensity of the exercise was 60% Heart Rate Reserve (HRR) and 60% one-repetition maximum and it was progressed by 10% every 2 weeks. Anthropometric parameters were recorded at baseline and on completion of 6 weeks for both groups. Data were analyzed with inferential statistic (Analysis of variance) to test the hypotheses. The findings of this study showed that short duration exercise training did not result in significant changes in anthropometric parameters of body mass index, percentage body fat, visceral fat and waist to hip ratio. It was therefore recommended based on the findings of this study that health professionals should recommend exercise for female HIV-infected individuals due to the health benefits.