Skip to main content
. 2015 Jan 29;13(1):49–56. doi: 10.1016/j.jesf.2014.10.003

Table 3.

Recommended FITT framework for the frequency, intensity, time, and type of AE and PRE for different HIV clinical categories.

Clinical category Physical fitness classificationsa Frequencyb
Intensityc
Time
Type (mode)
Kcal/wk d/wk HRR/VO2R %HRmax Perception of effortd Total weekly duration per day (min) Total weekly duration per week (min)
A (Asymptomatic, acute HIV, or PGL) Average–good >2000 5 (AE) 65–80% (AE); 80–91% (AE) Moderate–hard 30–90 (AE + PRE) 200–300 AE: cycling, walking, jogging, rowing
3 (PRE) 65–85% of 1 RM or 2–3 sets of 10–15 reps (PRE) PRE: target major muscle groups using weights, cables/pulleys/resistance bands, body weight, and plyometrics
B (Symptomatic conditions not A or C) Fair–average 1500–2000 3–5 (AE) 55–70% (AE); 74–84% (AE) Moderate 30–90 (AE + PRE) 200–300 AE: cycling, walking, rowing
2–3 (PRE) 55–85% of 1 RM or 2 sets of 10–12 reps (PRE) PRE: target major muscle groups using weights, cables/pulleys/resistance bands, body weight
C (AIDS – Indicator conditions) Poor 500–1000 3 (AE) 30–45% (AE); 57–67% (AE) Light–moderate 20–30 (AE + PRE) 60–150 AE: cycling, walking, hydrotherapy
2 (PRE) 35–50% of (6–10 RM) or 1–2 sets of 8–10 reps (PRE) PRE: target major muscle groups using cables/pulleys/resistance bands, body weight

AE = aerobic exercise; HRR = heart rate reserve; %HRmax = percentage–predicted maximal heart rate; PGL = persistent generalized lymphadenopathy; PRE = progressive resistive exercise; VO2R = oxygen uptake reserve.

Note. From Thompson WR, Gordon NF, Pescatello LS. ACSM's guidelines for exercise testing and prescription. 8th edition. Lippincot Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia. 2009. 380p. Adapted with permission.

a

Fitness classification based on normative fitness data categorized by VO2max.

b

Maximum frequency (d/wk) of combined AE and PRE for clinical category A = 5; B = 5; C = 3.

c

Methods to quantify exercise intensity in this table may not necessarily be equivalent to each other.

d

Perception of effort using the rating of perceive exertion (RPE)13 or talk test13; include 5–10 minutes pre-exercise warm-up and cool-down exercises.