African Women's Exercise Research

BODY POSITIVE’S AFRICAN WOMENS’ EXERCISE RESEARCH

REPRESENTS AN IMPORTANT STEP IN ADVANCING OUR

UNDERSTANDING OF THE ROLE EXERCISE AND LIFESTYLE

MANAGEMENT HAVE IN THE HOLISTIC MANAGEMENT OF HIV.

Whilst the introduction of Highly Active Anti-retroviral Therapy

(HAART) has reduced the morbidity and mortality rates from HIV

infection, adverse changes in blood lipid profiles, body composition and

disturbed metabolic functioning are often reported as a result of taking

such drugs. These factors are also strongly related to the development

of coronary artery and heart disease in combination with other more

traditional risk factors such a physical inactivity and smoking. Exercise

and lifestyle form a crucial first line intervention in ameliorating these

effects in non HIV+ individuals.

Recent European and American HIV treatment guidelines have argued

for the use of exercise and other lifestyle interventions as an initial

front line therapeutic intervention; although limited specific research in

HIV infected persons has been performed to fully support this view. In

the UK Body Positive North West has collaborated with the Research

Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences at Liverpool John Moores

University to contribute crucial early data on how exercise can be used

as an additional therapeutic intervention in HIV positive females.

Body Positive’s programme is unique in several aspects as it is one of a

few studies to examine the role of exercise in HIV infected women,

particularly African women and it draws together the expertise of

several organizations, particularly the Y Club, in implementing and

evaluating such programmes. It will also assess not only biological effects

relating to heart disease risk but also the psychosocial impact these

exercise programs have in addressing issues around social exclusion and

psychosocial wellbeing. These issues are of critical importance given the

extended longevity associated with new HIV drug treatments, the

increasing number of women becoming diagnosed and increasing

awareness of the social impact of HIV in diverse communities.

We hope this collaboration will help advance our understanding and influence

future planning of exercise and lifestyle intervention programmes and

the role they may fulfil in the community.

For information regarding this research and you can make a valuable

contribution please contact Emma at reception 0161 882 2200.