Introduction:

There is few scientific evidence about the benefits and barriers experienced by older people living with HIV (OPLWHIV) to perform physical activity.

Objective:

To know the perceived benefits and the barriers that the PMVIH refer to perform physical activity.

Methodology:

Qualitative exploratory study. An in-depth interview was carried out with 30 people of 50 years of age, treated in a specialty polyclinic of a public hospital in the southeastern sector, Santiago, Chile. An analysis of qualitative inductive content was performed according to the methodology described by Krippendorff. To ensure the validity of the findings, the Guba and Lincoln Criteria were used. This protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the South East Health Service of the Metropolitan Region.

Results:

In relation to the perceived benefits of physical activity, the following subcategories were identified: Reactivate, socialize with a partner or with others, and feel better. Regarding the barriers to exercise were found: Tiredness, my own illness (HIV) and personal choice not to exercise.

Discussion:

The results of this study allow HIV providers to guide the counseling in order to promote physical activity in this age group.

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