Supervised Treadmill Intervention to Reduce Inflammation and Depression Through Exercise in HIV: The STRIDE Pilot Study

Control participants will be given upfront advice to walk and also given the wearable activity monitor (Fitbit) and asked to record the total steps achieved each day in a provided log book.

The onsite physiotherapist will also be trained in appropriate supervision and monitoring of exercise therapy in participants with HIV. This training will include titration of the exercise prescription to ensure safe progress is achieved. Participants will be scheduled to come to Mildmay 2 times per week for eight weeks to perform treadmill walking exercise. Intensity will be regulated using 40-60% of heart rate reserve. Additionally, ratings of perceived exertion via the Adult OMNI Walk/Run Scale will be used to guide the intensity of exercise subjectively at a moderate level. The exercise dose participants complete are standard prescriptions for participants with HIV, according to the American College of Sports Medicine.19 The physiotherapist will document the total steps achieved, including the supervised treadmill sessions and activity completed outside the supervised exercise setting (provided by participants via a log book).