We examined the effects of an 8 w circuit resistance training (RES) program using elastic bands and body weight on TCD4+ cell counts and anthropometry in HIV patients. Patients (n = 21) receiving antiretroviral therapy were randomly assigned to resistance training (RES; n = 14) or control group (CON; n = 7) groups. RES (3/w) consisted of training with elastic bands and bodyweight training focusing on major muscle groups. CON received standard care. Statistical analyses were performed using general linear models adjusted for age, gender, length of infection and respective baseline measures. The primary outcome was TDC4+ and secondary outcomes were anthropometry indices. Tertiary assessments explored Pearson correlations surrounding the relationship between changes in anthropometry and TDC4+. We observed significant increases in TCD4+ count accompanying RES training (105.50 cells/mm3, 95% CI 47.42 to 163.59), while CON significantly decreased (-41.01 cells/mm3, 95% CI -126.78 to 44.76). Significant between group differences were noted (p < 0.02; n = 0.42). We also observed significant reductions in fat mass for RES (1.18 kg, 95% CI 1.80 to -0.56) versus increased fat mass for CON (1.21 kg, 95% CI 0.31 to 2.11). Significant between group differences were noted (p = 0.001, n = 0.64). Similar effects were noted for lean body mass. No significant changes were observed for body weight. Significant correlations were observed for fat mass (r = -0.699, p = 0.001) and lean mass (r = 0.553, p = 0.017), but not body weight (r = -0.390, p = 0.109) versus changes in TDC4+. Our results suggest the RES program used in this study is effective for improving TDC4+ status and body composition in HIV patients.

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