Association between muscle strength and the cardiopulmonary status of individuals living with HIV/AIDS

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare aerobic function [anaerobic threshold (%VO2-AT), respiratory compensation point (%VO2-RCP) and peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak)] between physically active patients with HIV/AIDS and matched controls and to examine associations between disease status, poor muscle strength, depression (as estimated by the profile of mood states questionnaire) and the aerobic performance of patients. METHODS: Progressive treadmill test data for %VO2-AT (V-slope method), RCP and (VO2peak) were compared between 39 male patients with HIV/AIDS (age 40.6±1.4 years) and 28 male controls (age 44.4±2.1 years) drawn from the same community and matched for habitual physical activity. Within-patient data were also examined in relation to CD4+ counts (nadir and current data) and peak isokinetic knee torque. RESULTS: AT, RCP and (VO2peak) values were generally similar for patients and controls.Within the patient sample, binary classification suggested that AT, RCP and (VO2peak) values were not associated with either the nadir or current CD4+ count, but treadmill test variables were positively associated with peak isokinetic knee torque. CONCLUSION: The aerobic performance of physically active patients with HIV/AIDS is generally well conserved. Nevertheless, poor muscle strength is observed in some HIV/AIDS patients, which is associated with lower anaerobic power and (VO2peak), suggesting the possibility of enhancing the aerobic performance of patients with weak muscles through appropriate muscle-strengthening activities.

Envelhecimento, atividade física e saúde / Aging, physical activity and health

Neste livro Roy J. Shephard, uma das autoridades mundiais em ciência do exercício, revisa e sintetiza a literatura científica nas mudanças fisiológicas com o envelhecimento, e o quanto a atividade regular afeta o processo de envelhecimento. A análise crítica de Shephard caracteriza as últimas teorias de como o envelhecimento e o exercício afetam as condições médicas, tais como doenças respiratórias, doenças muscoloesqueléticas, saúde metabólica, função mental e bem-estar geral. Fornece evidências fisiológicas conclusivas de que o exercício é eficaz na redução do risco de muitas doenças, maximizando a independência e melhorando a qualidade de vida para os idosos. O autor também discute as conseqüências econômicas e sociais de uma sociedade em envelhecimento. Mais de 1.700 referências torna este livro uma excelente fonte para aqueles que querem investigar áreas específicas do envelhecimento e da atividade