Exercício físico e qualidade de vida de pessoas vivendo com HIV/AIDS: um estudo comparativo

Abstract

Introduction: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a secondary clinical manifestation to infection by the Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV). A high number of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) live with disabilities and functional limitations. Supervised physical exercise promotes the improvement of functional capacity in PLWHA, however, few professionals focus on this population. Objective: The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between physical exercise and the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS. Materials and methods: This is an analytical cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 80 participants, 12 women and 68 men. Participants answered the sociodemographic questionnaire and the clinical questionnaire, both to characterize the sample, quality of life was assessed using the WHOQOL-HIV bref instrument. After data collection, participants were grouped according to their regular physical activity. Results: The mean age was 31.66 ± 7.40 years. A higher score was observed in the group that performs regular physical activity in all domains of the WHOQOL-HIV bref, which were significant in the domains: physical (p= 0.009), psychological (p= 0.044) and spiritual (p= 0.045). Conclusion: Physical exercise is associated with better perception of all domains of quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS, especially for the physical, psychological and spiritual domains.