Improvement in Muscular Strength in HIV-Infected Individuals Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy

• Main Authors: Takshita Sookan, Ayesha Motala, Michael Ormsbee, Jose Antonio, Nombulelo Magula, Umesh Lalloo, Andrew McKune
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-09-01
• Series: Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
• Subjects: resistance training; whey; placebo; detraining; HIV; exercise; ART
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/4/3/66

Purpose: This study investigated (1) the effect of a progressive resistance training (PRT) program and whey protein intake on maximal muscle strength in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) and (2) alterations in maximal strength 12 wks after the cessation of PRT with continued supplementation. Methods: Sixty HIV-infected individuals were recruited. Whole body PRT was performed twice weekly for 12 wks. Participants received, in a double-blind placebo controlled manner, either 20 g whey or placebo (maltodextrin) before and immediately after each session. Both PRT groups continued to take either whey protein or placebo for a further 12 wks following the exercise intervention to examine the effects of detraining. Results: Forty participants (mean and standard deviation (SD) age 40.8 (&#177;7.7) years, weight 70.8 (&#177;16) kg, body mass index (BMI) 30.9 (&#177;7.2) kg m²); whey protein /PRT (<i>n</i> = 13), placebo/PRT (<i>n</i> = 17), and a control group (<i>n</i> = 10) completed the study. A significant main effect for time occurred for the bench press (<i>p</i> = 0.02), the squat (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.0001), the deadlift (<i>p</i> = 0.001) and the shoulder press (<i>p</i> = 0.02) one-repetition maximum (1RM) in the intervention groups. Conclusion: The PRT program increased maximal strength regardless of whey protein intake. The detraining period demonstrated minimal strength loss, which is beneficial to this population.