Participation in Physical Activity by Persons Living with HIV Disease

Physical activity (PA) may offer substantial health benefits for persons with HIV disease. The purpose of this study is to describe and explore physical activity behaviors in a sample of persons living with HIV disease. This descriptive correlational study surveyed 78 persons (n = 70 men; n = 8 women) from two outpatient settings. Results showed somewhat fewer of the participants met Healthy People 2010 PA recommendations than persons in the general population. Walking was the preferred PA. Average functional social support was significantly correlated with (a) weekly frequency of performing moderate 30-minute PA (r = .38, p < .01) and (b) HIV-RNA (viral load) values (r = -.37, p < .05). Significant correlations were also found between scores on general health status self-reported CD4+ cell counts (.33, p < .05) and HIV-RNA (.39, p < .05) values. Total friend functional social support was significantly (.32, p < .01) correlated with weekly frequency of moderate or vigorous PA.