The benefit of physical exercise in improving quality of life, VO2 max and sleep quality among older adults living with HIV: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND

Older adults living with HIV face multiple health challenges, yet evidence on the impact of exercise on their well-being remains limited. Regular physical activity is known to have multiple benefits in general aging population, but its specific benefits for those with HIV are less established.

AIM: This review assessed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of physical exercise on quality of life, VO₂ max, and sleep quality among seniors with HIV.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and Embase. Eligible studies included RCTs evaluating structured exercise interventions in adults aged 50 years and older living with HIV. Data on participants, interventions, and outcomes were extracted and pooled for meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Ten RCTs involving 372 participants met the inclusion criteria. Participants had lived with HIV for 9-25 years. Exercise interventions were associated with significant improvements in quality of life (p < 0.01, Z = 7.16, I² = 70%) and VO₂ max (p < 0.05, Z = 1.99, I² = 88%). However, no significant effect was observed on sleep quality (p ˃ 0.05, Z = 0.16, I² = 79%).

CONCLUSION

This systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that physical activity can enhance quality of life and aerobic capacity among older adults living with HIV, although benefits for sleep quality were not demonstrated. These findings highlight the value of incorporating exercise into routine care for this population. Further large-scale, high-quality RCTs are recommended to confirm these outcomes and explore long-term effects.