By David Smith
It’s
no doubt that HIV/AIDS has had a huge impact on the GLBT community; it
has affected many people within our community. Today over 1.3 million
people (World Health Organization 2011) are living
with HIV/AIDS and there have been many advancements in educational,
prevention and treatment services offered that have turned the disease
from a death sentence to on the verge of a cure.
Living a healthy lifestyle and exercising regularly can have many
benefits for people who live with HIV/AIDS. Greg Louganis for example
was diagnosed with HIV shortly before the 1988 Olympics, he stated in
his book that he was afraid he would be too sick to compete and almost
called it quits. However the fact that he was exercising regularly and
staying consistent with a healthy diet not only helped to keep the virus
at bay but to keep his immune system strong, to the point he was able
to fight off other infections such as the flu a lot quicker than his HIV
negative teammates. (Louganis. G Breaking the Surface 1996).
HIV/AIDS
is a virus that targets the immune system; it essentially attacks and
breaks down the immune system making it much weaker and unable to fight
off other infection. Many of the illness and death attributed to
HIV/AIDS actually come from other viruses and infection such as
pneumonia and shingles. The immune system at that point is so weak from
the HIV/AIDS virus that it is very vulnerable and unable to amount a
proper defense, letting the infection take over the body.
Two conditions associated with HIV/AIDS are lipodystrophy and
muscular atrophy. Lipodystrophy is a change in how the body stores,
processes and utilizes fat. It can lead to rapid and unhealthy weight
loss or weight gain and significantly manipulating your fat stores at a
dangerous level. (AIDS Info, National Institute of Health) This
is unhealthy as it can affect your intake of fat-soluble vitamins as
well as lead to an increased risk of heart disease, high cholesterol,
stroke and diabetes. The specific cause is unknown but it is believed
that HIV/AIDS combined with other factors such as age, race and sex play
a significant role.
Muscular atrophy is the wasting away of muscle, both in strength and
the muscle tissue itself becomes more and more diminished. This leads
to reduced strength and functionality, it also significantly increases
your risk of injury ranging from fractures on the bone, decreased bone
strength, joint issues, inflammation of tendons and ligaments as well
can increase risk of infection.
Both of these conditions can lead to exhaustion, fatigue, and
inability to perform regular tasks, mental conditions including
depression, anxiety, increased stress and body image issues.
There has been inconsistent research in regards to specific benefits
to exercise for people with HIV/AIDS but as more studies are being done
we are constantly learning new information on how exercise can
supplement a treatment program.
Exercise has consistently shown to help control and maintain healthy
body composition with the efficient processing and storage of fat and
fat-soluble vitamins. By maintaining a constant, healthy percentage of
body fat you immediately reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke,
diabetes, and other metabolic, cardiovascular and pulmonary disease.
Partaking in a consistent exercise program as suitable to your condition
can be beneficial in helping your body maintain a regular and healthy
function. This is best accomplished by partaking in aerobic or
cardio-based exercise programs. Depending on what your goals are these
may include long duration exercise at a moderate intensity (walking,
jogging, swimming, cycling) or higher intensity shorter duration
exercises (High intensity interval training, sprinting). Both types have
been shown to reduce fat and help maintain a healthy body fat
percentage.
Nipples at the 2013 AIDS walk/run
Exercise
also helps you strengthen and maintain a strong immune system, through
the constant engagement of your body’s system it can help fight off
bacterial and viral infections.
Resistance training can have a
significant effect on reducing and even reversing muscular atrophy. By
keeping the muscles constantly engaged and working, you are
strengthening the muscles; they become stronger, bigger and more
efficient. Not only that but weight bearing exercises have been shown to
increase bone density, making your bones stronger and better able to
hold the weight. This helps maintain strong joints and bones to allow
you to function and perform at a higher level as well maintain your
physical health and quality of life for a much longer period of time. It
also significantly reduces your risk or injury as you will better be
able to recover and not be harmed as easily during impact. Resistance
training does not only include weight lifting but body weight exercises,
resistance bands and just about anything you can come up with that
involves an increased weight load.
David Smith, the owner of Stonewall Fitness,
holds a degree in exercise science from Metropolitan State University
of Denver, several fitness certifications including ACSM Personal
Trainer and Group Fitness. 
