Vitor Oliveira
Research Assistant Professor
Biobehavioral Nursing & Health Informatics
Vitor Oliveira is a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Washington School of Nursing and an exercise scientist specializing in cardiometabolic health, muscle quality, and digital lifestyle interventions. His research focuses on improving physical function, body composition, and metabolic outcomes in adults aging with chronic conditions, particularly HIV and type 2 diabetes.
Dr. Oliveira leads innovative clinical and translational research examining the role of combined aerobic and resistance exercise in mitigating sarcopenia, myosteatosis, frailty, and obesity-related muscle dysfunction. As Principal Investigator of pilot and translational studies, he develops hybrid (center- and home-based) exercise interventions that integrate behavioral science frameworks, motivational interviewing, and scalable digital health strategies. His work incorporates advanced measurement techniques, including MRI-based quantification of myosteatosis, DXA-derived body composition, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and accelerometry, to generate mechanistic and clinically meaningful insights.
He currently leads HEICA-HIV, a two-site pilot study conducted in Seattle, USA, and Londrina, Brazil, focused on implementing scalable exercise interventions for people aging with HIV. This work reflects his broader commitment to global health and cross-national collaboration in lifestyle interventions.
In addition to his research program, Dr. Oliveira teaches courses focused on physical activity for health promotion. He also directs a UW study abroad program in Brazil centered on lifestyle interventions, community-based health promotion, and global perspectives on physical activity implementation.
Through his research, teaching, and global partnerships, Dr. Oliveira advances scalable, evidence-based strategies to preserve muscle health, prevent functional decline, and improve cardiometabolic outcomes in diverse populations.
- Research Interests: Development and testing of exercise-based interventions to improve cardiometabolic health and physical function in adults aging with chronic conditions. His work examines the mechanisms underlying sarcopenia, frailty, and obesity-related muscle dysfunction, with particular emphasis on muscle quality and myosteatosis.
- Innovative Interventions
- Symptom Science
- Ph.D., Londrina State University, 2019
- Pre-Doctoral Fellowship, Case Western Reserve University, 2018
- M.Sc., Londrina State University, 2015
- Postgraduate Diploma, Northern Parana University, 2011
- B.Sc., Federal University of Santa Catarina, 2007
- Certified Exercise Physiologist, 2021
- Good Clinical Practices, 2021
- Human Subjects Protection, 2020
- 2026. "Influence of the low-frequency extension filter on accelerometer-based activity measurements in people with HIV: a comparative analysis." AIDS (London, England) 40. 394-396.
https://doi.org/10.1097/QAD.0000000000004391 - 2026. "Exploring the Impacts of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) in People Living with HIV: A Scoping Review." AIDS and behavior 30. 24-35.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-025-04844-2 - 2026. "Comparing the Effectiveness of High Intensity Interval Training vs Continuous Moderate Intensity Exercise on Physical Function Among Older Adults With HIV." Open forum infectious diseases 13. ofag002.
- 2025. "Embracing Smart Technology in Older Adults’ Daily Lives." Journal of Gerontological Nursing 51. Slack Incorporated.
https://dx.doi.org/10.3928/00989134-20241209-01
https://doi.org/10.3928/00989134-20241209-01 - 2025. "The lipid research clinics physical activity questionnaire does not accurately measure physical activity in people with HIV." AIDS (London, England) 39. 1392-1396.
https://doi.org/10.1097/QAD.0000000000004226 - 2025. "Hazardous alcohol consumption is associated with an increased occurrence of falls among people with HIV in the PROSPER-HIV Study." AIDS (London, England) 39. 298-305.
https://doi.org/10.1097/QAD.0000000000004061 - 2025. "Objectively Measured Physical Activity among People with and without HIV in Uganda: Associations with Cardiovascular Risk and Coronary Artery Disease." Global heart 20. 13.
https://doi.org/10.5334/gh.1398 - 2025. "Resistance Training Improves Cognitive Function and Depression Without Changing BDNF Levels in People Living with HIV: a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial." AIDS and behavior 29. 3877-3886.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-025-04824-6 - 2025. "Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blocker Usage Prevents Oxidative Stress and Muscle Dysfunction in HIV." Fundamental & clinical pharmacology 39. e70016.
https://doi.org/10.1111/fcp.70016 - 2025. "Using a mobile application for antiretroviral therapy adherence in people living with HIV: A longitudinal pilot study." Southern African journal of HIV medicine 26. 1646.
https://doi.org/10.4102/sajhivmed.v26i1.1646 - 2025. "Abdominal adiposity is negatively associated with physical function among people with HIV." AIDS (London, England) 39. 986-994.
https://doi.org/10.1097/QAD.0000000000004168 - 2024. "Validity of equations for estimating fat-free mass in people living with the human immunodeficiency virus." Clinical Nutrition ESPEN 63. Elsevier Ltd.
https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2024.06.023
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2024.06.023 - 2024. "Select Dietary Components Are Associated With Better Global Cognition in U.S. Adults With HIV: A Pilot Study." Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care 35. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
https://dx.doi.org/10.1097/JNC.0000000000000479
https://doi.org/10.1097/jnc.0000000000000479 - 2024. "Hazardous alcohol consumption is associated with an increased occurrence of falls among people with HIV in the PROSPER-HIV Study." AIDS 39. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
https://dx.doi.org/10.1097/QAD.0000000000004061
https://doi.org/10.1097/qad.0000000000004061 - 2024. "Objectively measured physical activity among people with and without HIV in Uganda: associations with cardiovascular risk and coronary artery disease." medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences.
https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.06.07.24308634 - 2024. "Validity of equations for estimating fat-free mass in people living with the human immunodeficiency virus." Clinical nutrition ESPEN 63. 226-233.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2024.06.023 - 2024. "Brief Report: Relationship Between Adiposity and Biomarkers of Aging and Frailty Among Adults Aging With HIV." Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes (1999) 95. 377-382.
https://doi.org/10.1097/QAI.0000000000003362 - 2023. "Abstract P187: Qualitative Description of Physical Activity Perceptions and Experiences in Older Adults With HIV." Circulation 147. Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1161/circ.147.suppl_1.p187
https://doi.org/10.1161/circ.147.suppl_1.p187 - 2023. "The use of non‐invasive imaging modalities for the assessment of skeletal muscle quantity and quality in people with
HIV : A narrative review." HIV Medicine 24. Wiley: 1176-1189.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/hiv.13539
https://doi.org/10.1111/hiv.13539 - 2023. "Statin protects men but not women with HIV against loss of muscle mass, strength, and physical function: a pilot study." Scientific Reports 13. Nature Research.
https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-31643-3
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-31643-3 - 2023. "Physical activity is associated with adiposity in older adults with HIV in the modern HIV era." AIDS (London, England) 37. 1819-1826.
https://doi.org/10.1097/QAD.0000000000003635 - 2023. "Statin protects men but not women with HIV against loss of muscle mass, strength, and physical function: a pilot study." Scientific reports 13. 4693.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-31643-3 - 2023. "The Association Between Objectively-Measured Physical Activity and Cognitive Functioning in Middle-Aged and Older People Living with HIV." AIDS and behavior 27. 1199-1210.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-022-03857-5 - 2023. "Effects of lipodystrophy and physical exercise on bioimpedance parameters in people living with HIV: A cross-sectional study." Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.) 112. 112059.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2023.112059 - 2023. "Health and sociodemographic factors associated with low muscle strength, muscle mass, and physical performance among people living with HIV." AIDS care 35. 1863-1873.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09540121.2022.2147482 - 2022. "Sarcopenia Related to Human Immunodeficiency Virus: Protective Effects of Exercise." Exercise and sport sciences reviews 50. 73-80.
https://doi.org/10.1249/JES.0000000000000282 - 2021. "Low Agreement Between Initial and Revised European Consensus on Definition and Diagnosis of Sarcopenia Applied to People Living With HIV." Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes (1999) 86. e106-e113.
https://doi.org/10.1097/QAI.0000000000002576 - 2020. "The relationship of cardiorespiratory function, fatigue and depressive symptoms in PLHIV." AIDS care 32. 877-881.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09540121.2019.1659920 - 2020. "Sarcopenia in people living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus: a systematic review and meta-analysis." European journal of clinical nutrition 74. 1009-1021.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-020-0637-0 - 2020. "Effects of a Combined Exercise Training Program on Health Indicators and Quality of Life of People Living with HIV: A Randomized Clinical Trial." AIDS and behavior 24. 1531-1541.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-019-02678-3 - 2020. "Weekday and Weekend Physical Activity and Stationary Behavior Patterns of People Living With HIV." The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care : JANAC 31. 337-345.
https://doi.org/10.1097/JNC.0000000000000156 - 2019. "Cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with inflammation and physical activity in HIV+ adults." AIDS (London, England) 33. 1023-1030.
- 2019. "Homocysteine-lowering exercise effect is greater in hyperhomocysteinemic people living with HIV: a randomized clinical trial." Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism = Physiologie appliquee, nutrition et metabolisme 44. 1165-1171.
https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2018-0734 - 2018. "Association Between the 6-Minute Walk Test Distance and Peak Cardiorespiratory Fitness Among People Living with HIV Varies by Fitness Level." The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care : JANAC 29. 775-781.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jana.2018.05.005 - 2018. "Muscle strength is impaired in men but not in women living with HIV taking antiretroviral therapy." Antiviral therapy 23. 11-19.
https://doi.org/10.3851/IMP3159 - 2017. "Knee extension and flexion strength asymmetry in Human Immunodeficiency Virus positive subjects: a cross-sectional study." Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy 21. Revista Brasileira de Fisioterapia.
https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bjpt.2017.06.010
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjpt.2017.06.010 - 2017. "Knee extension and flexion strength asymmetry in Human Immunodeficiency Virus positive subjects: a cross-sectional study." Brazilian journal of physical therapy 21. 434-439.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjpt.2017.06.010 - 2015. "Elevated homocysteine levels in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients under antiretroviral therapy: A meta-analysis." World journal of virology 4. 147-55.
https://doi.org/10.5501/wjv.v4.i2.147 - "Differences in Physical Activity, Physical Function, and Diet Intake, in Men and Women Living With HIV in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Study." The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care : JANAC 37. 63-74.
https://doi.org/10.1097/JNC.0000000000000571 - "Exploring the Relationship Between Insomnia and Biological Factors, Substance Use, and Physical Activity in People With HIV in the United States: Insights From the PROSPER Study." The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care : JANAC 37. 52-62.
https://doi.org/10.1097/JNC.0000000000000589 - "Qualitative Description of Exercise Perceptions and Experiences Among People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in the High-Intensity Exercise to Attenuate Limitations and Train Habits Study." The Journal of cardiovascular nursing 40. E101-E109.
https://doi.org/10.1097/JCN.0000000000001082 - "Effects of Massage Therapy on Anxiety, Depression, Stress, Pain, Quality of Life, and Immune Aspects in People Living With HIV: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis." The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care : JANAC 36. 592-610.
https://doi.org/10.1097/JNC.0000000000000587 - "Select Dietary Components Are Associated With Better Global Cognition in U.S. Adults With HIV: A Pilot Study." The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care : JANAC 35. 388-396.
https://doi.org/10.1097/JNC.0000000000000479 - "Examining High-Intensity Exercise on Cognitive and Vascular Outcomes in Older Adults Living With HIV-A Research Protocol: Design and Rationale From Two Harmonized Clinical Studies in the Deep South." The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care : JANAC 37. 118-132.
https://doi.org/10.1097/JNC.0000000000000591 - "Multi-tablet, Single-Tablet, or Long-Acting Antiretroviral Treatment for HIV: A Cross-sectional Study of Patient Preferences in the United States and Spain." The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care : JANAC 33. 638-645.
https://doi.org/10.1097/JNC.0000000000000343 - "Appendicular Skeletal Muscle Mass Prediction in People Living With HIV: A Cross-sectional Study." The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care : JANAC 34. 270-279.
https://doi.org/10.1097/JNC.0000000000000400 - "Impact of Food Insecurity and Undernutrition on Frailty and Physical Functioning in Aging People With HIV in the United States." The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care : JANAC 34. 238-247.
- "The High-Intensity Exercise Study to Attenuate Limitations and Train Habits in Older Adults With HIV (HEALTH): A Research Protocol." The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care : JANAC 33. 178-188.
- The Influence of Habitual Physical Activity and Diet in the Development of Sarcopenia Among Older Adults With HIV, National Institutes of Health
- Proof-of-concept of a behavioral intervention to improve the cardiovascular health of people living with HIV, University of Washington School of Nursing Research and Intramural Funding Program
- Relationship between body fat and functional status among adults aging with HIV, National Institutes on Aging
- Mitochondria and Muscle within the HEALTH Study, National Institutes on Aging
- Relationship between myosteatosis, sarcopenia, physical activity, and diet among adults with HIV, Nutrition Obesity Research Center Pilot and Feasibility Research ADVANCE Award
