Short-term aerobic training improves heart rate variability in men living with HIV: a pre-post pilot study

Background Heart rate variability (HRV) a feasible predictor of prognosis in cardiovascular outcomes shown to be reduced in people living with HIV (PLWH). Objective This study sought to understand the effects of short-term aerobic training (AT) on the resting HRV and endothelial function in this population. Methods PLWH performed 24 sessions of AT protocol. The protocol consists of 40 min of treadmill (60 to 80% of the VO2max), 3 times per week, for 8 weeks. HRV (standard deviation of all normal RR intervals - SDNN; root mean square of the successive differences - rMSSD; low frequency - LF; high frequency - HF; LF:HF ratio) and endothelial function parameters were evaluated by EndoPAT system pre and post intervention. Results 7 men, the median age of the sample was 49 years (range, 38-68 years), completed the protocol. AT improved resting HRV parameters: SDNN (p = 0.02, power analysis (PA) 0.54), rMSSD (p = 0.02, PA = 0.99), LF (p = 0.02, PA = 0.85). HF, LF:HF ratio and endothelial function parameters showed no changes. Conclusions The results suggest the short-term AT may improve HRV in men living with HIV.