Older adults with HIV who exercised for 16 weeks likely had denser thigh muscles (5.2% increase) compared to the control group (0.3% decrease), which was statistically significant.

Scientific Claim

In older adults with HIV, 16 weeks of aerobic and resistance training was likely associated with a 5.2% increase in muscle density compared to a 0.3% decrease in controls (p < 0.01).

Original Statement

“muscle density (+5.2% vs. −0.3%, P < 0.01)”

From study:Randomized Clinical Trial of High Intensity Exercise in People with HIV: Effects on Muscle Composition and Inflammation.

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

overstated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

probability

Can suggest probability/likelihood

Assessment Explanation

The study is an RCT but has a small sample size (N=33) and unknown blinding, so causal claims should use probability verbs. The original claim uses definitive language ('increased'), which overstates the confidence.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Randomized Clinical Trial of High Intensity Exercise in People with HIV: Effects on Muscle Composition and Inflammation.

Randomized Controlled Trial

Human

2025 May 8

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Randomized Clinical Trial of High Intensity Exercise in People with HIV: Effects on Muscle Composition and Inflammation.

Score: 47

DOI: 10.1097/QAI.0000000000003692

Similar Assertions

Older people with HIV who did aerobic and resistance exercise for 16 weeks probably had bigger thigh muscles (7.5% increase) compared to those who didn't (3.1% decrease), and this difference was statistically significant.

93%

Older people with HIV who did the exercise program for 16 weeks probably had much stronger legs (51.8% increase) compared to those who didn't (1.3% increase), and this difference was highly significant.

89%

The exercise program didn't change levels of inflammation markers in older people with HIV compared to those who didn't exercise.

78%

At the start of the study, people with HIV who had denser thigh muscles also had lower levels of certain inflammation markers, like TNF-alpha and IL-6.

77%