BACKGROUND: The respiratory pattern is often modified or even blocked during flexibility exercises, but little is known about the cardiovascular response to concomitant stretching and the Valsalva maneuver (VM) in healthy subjects. OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and rate-pressure product (RPP) during and after large and small muscle group flexibility exercises performed simultaneously with the VM. METHODS: Asymptomatic volunteers (N = 22) with the following characteristics were recruited: age, 22 ± 3 years; weight, 73 ± 6 kg; height, 175 ± 5 cm; HR at rest, 66 ± 9 BPM; and SBP at rest, 113 ± 10 mmHg. They performed two exercises: four sets of passive static stretching for 30 s of the dorsi-flexion (DF) of the gastrocnemius and the hip flexion (HF) of the ischio-tibialis. The exercises were performed with (V+) or without (V-) the VM in a counterbalanced order. The SBP and HR were measured, and the RPP was calculated before the exercise session, at the end of each set, and during a 30-min post-exercise recovery period. RESULTS: The within-group comparisons showed that only the SBP and RPP increased throughout the sets (p<0.05), but no post-exercise hypotension was detected. The between-group comparisons showed that greater SBP increases were related to the VM and to a larger stretched muscle mass. Differences for a given set were identified for the HR (the HFV+ and HFV- values were higher than the DFV+ and DFV- values by approximately 12 BPM), SBP (the HFV+ value was higher than the DFV+ and DFV- values by approximately 12 to 15 mmHg), and RPP (the HFV+ value was higher than the HFV- value by approximately 2000 mmHGxBPM, and the HFV+ value was higher than the DFV+ and DFV- values by approximately 4000 mmHGxBPM). CONCLUSION: Both the stretched muscle mass and the VM influence acute cardiovascular responses to multiple-set passive stretching exercise sessions.

CONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: Os estudos sobre a relação entre prática de exercícios e bem-estar psicológico de pacientes com vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV) são raros. OBJETIVO: Investigar a influência de programa de condicionamento físico sobre a satisfação com a própria vida e sobre a função imunológica. MÉTODOS: Para tal análise, 29 pacientes soropositivos (idade: 45±2 anos; índice de massa corporal (IMC): 22,8±1,0 kg/m2; TCD4: 20,5±2,0%), foram divididos em grupo controle (GC, n=10) e grupo experimental (GE, n=19). O GE participou durante 12 semanas de programa de exercícios que combinavam exercícios aeróbios, força e flexibilidade (três vezes/semana; aeróbio-30min: carga em watts equivalente a 150bpm-PWC150; força-50min: três séries de 12 repetições em cinco exercícios a 60-80% 12 RM; flexibilidade-10min: duas séries de 30s na máxima amplitude em oito exercícios). A função imunológica foi avaliada por contagem absoluta e relativa das células TCD4 (citometria de fluxo),e a satisfação de vida, por meio do Índice de Satisfação de Vida (ISV). RESULTADOS: A análise de variância (ANOVA) não identificou alteração significativa para os linfócitos TCD4 em ambos os grupos, apesar da tendência à elevação no GE (16%, p=0,19). Houve melhora significativa no ISV (≈15%, P<0,05) para o GE, mas não para o GC. CONCLUSÃO: Um programa de condicionamento físico de intensidade moderada melhorou a percepção de satisfação de vida dos pacientes com HIV observados, sem acarretar prejuízos imunológicos.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of research about the relationship between exercise and the psychological well-being of HIV-infected (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) patients. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of a physical training program on life satisfaction and on the immunological function in HIV-patients. METHODS: A total of 29 HIV-seropositive patients [age: 45±2 yrs; Body Mass Index (BMI): 22.8±1.0 kg/m² ; TCD4: 20.5±2.0%] were allocated to the control (CG, n=10) and to the experimental groups (EG, n=19). The EG participated in an exercise program combining aerobic, strength, and flexibility exercises for a period of 12 weeks [3 times/week of 30 min of aerobic exercise (workload corresponding to 150 bpm-PWC150); 50 min of strength exercises (3 sets of 12 repetitions in 5 exercises at 60-80% 12 RM); and 10 min of flexibility exercises (2 sets of 30 seconds at maximal range of motion of 8 exercises)]. The immunological function was assessed by flow citometry [absolute and relative TCD4 cells counting] and the life satisfaction was assessed by the Life Satisfaction Index (LSI). RESULTS: The analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed no significant differences for relative and absolute CD4 T counts for both groups, however, a slight enhancement trend in the EG [16%, p=0.19] was observed. There was a significant improvement of LSI [approximately 15%; P<0.05] in EG, but not for CG. CONCLUSION: A physical activity program of moderate intensity improved life satisfaction perception in HIV-infected patients with no immunological function impairment.