Evaluation of submaximal endurance in young children living with HIV.

There is growing concern about the long-term sequelae [a condition which is the consequence of a previous disease or injury] of perinatally acquired human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Children living with HIV (CLHIV) present with cardiopulmonary impairments and decreased physical activity which may be due to poor endurance. Our study aimed to investigate the sub-maximal endurance of CLHIV compared to a non-infected comparison group. In this cross-sectional descriptive study 346 CLHIV, between ages five and eleven years, were assessed using the Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT). Blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation were measured pre-test, immediately post-test and five minutes post-test. Clinical and anthropometric data were recorded. Height and weight were assessed using a stadiometer and a digital scale, respectively. 175 CLHIV (52% female) and 171 children without HIV (46% female) participated. All children were Black African. The CLHIV all initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART) at a young age (mean 8.7 months, standard deviation 6.7) and their disease was well controlled (viral load < 1000copies/ml). There were no statistically significant differences in submaximal endurance between the two groups (p = 0.831). Age of starting ART and stunted growth were negatively associated (r = -2.8 (p = 0.019) and r = -46.1 (p = 0.027), respectively) with distance walked in the 6MWT by girls living with HIV. CLHIV who initiate ART early with well-controlled disease are able to attain submaximal endurance levels similar to their uninfected peers. Endurance and physical activity should be monitored in CLHIV. Submaximal endurance levels may improve with age and biological maturation. © 2022. The Authors.

Citation

Joanne Potterton, Renate Strehlau, Stephanie Shiau, Nicolette Comley-White, Louise Kuhn, Michael Yin, Stephen Arpadi. Evaluation of submaximal endurance in young children living with HIV. The South African journal of physiotherapy. 2022;78(1):1613

PMID: 35281781

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